Colonialism, Genocide and Mass Violence - Integral Parts of Modernity
Author(s)
Melber, Henning
Abstract
The paper applies the ‘colonial view’ in interpreting the inherent nature of current forms of mass violence. The author argues that colonial mindset remains an integral part of European modernity, with the colonial past neither fully acknowledged nor have any significant efforts been made to pursue decolonization. The author argues that for this the underlying values and norms that determine the European concept of legitimate use of power must be questioned, as well as the inherent practices of dealing with deviations from acceptable norms. The author also argues that concepts currently applied in regards to social engineering and good governance would need to be fundamentally redefined and implicit justification of discriminatory practices eliminated.
