More on colonialism

I have been following a most interesting interchange of opinions, being featured in "Your Letters." This pertains to colonialism in Indonesia, focused on Dutch malpractice. As you know, Indonesians were not the only colonial victims in Asia. I venture to say that some of the developing countries had it worse. Permit me to expand this shadow of colonialism which still haunts some of the perpetrators and victims.

My work provides me the opportunity to discuss development issues with Indonesians, from various walks of life, in Jakarta and the hinterlands. When, at times, the topic touches on colonialism, the frequent questions revolve on the differences between colonization in the Philippines and Indonesia, the Philippine outlook after experiencing several waves of colonialism, and national development approaches or strategies of previously colonized countries.

Before attempting to briefly answer the sensitive question above, it is necessary to interpose certain comments. In order to properly discuss colonialism, it must be seen as objectively as possible and focused on specific issues. There are plenty of lessons learned from both the perpetrators and victims. On the side of the victims, they owe it to the coming generations in developing countries in Asia to pass on these lessons.

Today in a developing country, Asians have to deal with the complexities of international relations and globalization of trade. Without the lessons of history, Asians in a developing country will not be prepared and fortified to deal with the more developed countries and the future. It is possible that future generations in developing Asian countries might become victims, like their ancestors, to the subjugations of the technologically advanced nations, as well as the growing economic clout of multinational institutions. Like it or not, colonialism is not dead. There has been a shift, after World War II, from overt (economic-military) to covert (economic-diplomatic) colonialism.

Overt colonialism, in the past, may be categorized in two ways. One way was practiced by the English, Dutch, French and Japanese colonizers. These colonizers were downright predators and primarily economic exploiters.

Another type of overt colonialism was that experienced by the Filipinos. The Spanish-American colonization (this excludes the short and brutal Japanese colonialism) in the Philippines may be termed as total colonialism. Yes, both Spaniards and Americans practiced economic exploitation. However, both colonizers went an extra mile. The Spaniards wanted to Hispanicize the Filipinos so that zealous Spanish missionaries converted the Filipinos to Catholicism.

Among the negative effects of Spanish and American colonialism are: (1) The Filipinos were colonized, both body and soul. In the process of colonization, the Filipinos lost much of their Asian identity. (2) American-style politics was subverted by the landed elite to become an instrument to protect and expand their vested interests at the expense of national welfare. (3) Free trade with the U.S. made the Philippines primarily a raw material producer and consumer of imported manufactured goods.

Looking at the positive impact, the Filipinos today have an edge among the developing countries in Asia in the area of education. To their credit, both Spanish and American colonizers, introduced and nurtured the most important and profound ingredient for the long-term requirements of nation-building, that is, massive and quality human resources development.

Concerning approaches to national development of previously colonized countries, the following are tentative viewpoints: (1) In the final analysis, each developing country in Asia must shape its own pattern of development and destiny by delicately balancing the political, economic, technological, foreign relations, socio-cultural and religious parameters. In the domain of national development in Asia, there is no such thing as the best way, the only way. (2) Leaders of developing countries in Asia must strive towards a mutual and equal relationship with their former colonizers, as well as other nation states. Without the concepts of mutuality and equality in the field of international relations, colonialism (this time the covert type) will gain ground and momentum to do damage, once again, to the national resources and peoples of the developing countries of Asia.

MANUEL C. MONTEMAYOR

Jakarta