PostColonialism Wikispaces后殖民主义－wiki空间.pptVIP

A Level Media Studies Cultural Imperialism An important function of the media is in winning the support of people to the interests of the dominant classes. The media also constitute a potential tool for control by dominant Western cultures over those developing countries. The Western way of life and its economic/political systems can be imposed on other societies as its lifestyle is sold through media products such as film and television. The most dominant culture exporting media products is the USA. Eg Hollywood cinema This is know as CULTURAL IMPERIALISM. Post-colonialism Most European countries, including the UK have a history of military imperialism. They would conquer less developed countries and impose their rule on them. This was usually to ensure a supply of cheap materials from that country to help support the economy. Former British colonies include India, South Africa, Australia, Jamaica and the USA – at one point, GB ruled half the world. Post-colonialism These colonies eventually became independent and set up their own governments. However, it can be argued that much of the culture of the imperial countries (eg. Their language) still lingers on in the former colonies as a reminder of colonial rule. Also, the process of decolonisation has not prevented the Western powers from tightening their economic grip on the rest of the world. The wealth of economically developed countries increasingly depends on the cheap labour and raw materials supplied by the Third World. Post-colonialism ‘Saunders of the River’ (1935) portrayed ideologies naturalising colonisation The Four Feathers (1939) suggested the key role of the British army was to bring a civilising influence to India and Egypt. Zulu (1964) represented the Zulu tribe in Africa as violent savages. Ideology suggests that black skin is undesirable and white skin is desirable Images like this helped reinforce a sense of superiority of colonising populations and marginality of the colonised African countries