Chapter 9 Self-test questions

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. Which of the following best describes the relationship between postcolonialism and security studies?

Relations between postcolonialism and security studies are tense and contested. Postcolonialism questions the standard Westphalian account of world history that is the basis of security studies. correct incorrect

Despite some minor differences, postcolonialism shares with traditional security studies its view of the international system and world powers. correct incorrect

Relations between postcolonialism and security studies are tense and contested. Postcolonialism rejects the concept of power that is central to security studies and rejects the notion that traditionally dominant states, such as the USA, should be considered powerful. correct incorrect

Relations between postcolonialism and security studies are tense and contested. Postcolonialism sits outside security studies, as it concerns only the welfare of nations and peoples once subject to imperial power. correct incorrect

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. What is Eurocentrism?

Eurocentrism is a style of analysis in which European societies are compared to non-European societies to produce an unbiased comparison of the relative merits of each. correct incorrect

Eurocentrism is a thought style in which the assessment and evaluation of non-European societies is couched in terms of the cultural assumptions and biases of Europeans. correct incorrect

Eurocentrism refers to studies or scholarly work that only considers European political or economic systems. correct incorrect

Eurocentrism refers to scholarship that considers how historically European societies were compared to non-European societies. correct incorrect

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. Security studies can be interpreted as an imperial field of knowledge in which of the following ways?

All of these correct incorrect

Security studies adopts a perspective which postcolonial scholars refer to as 'the colonizer's view of the world'. correct incorrect

Security studies was originally defined by the power of the USA and Britain at a time when they actively supported colonial and imperial relations in the global south. correct incorrect

Security studies emerged in relation to the interests of the USA and Britain following the Second World War. correct incorrect

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. From a critical perspective, how does postcolonialism relate to security studies?
In postcolonial perspective, security studies is not merely shaped by power but is itself a form of imperial power/knowledge: through its categories and the practices to which it gives licence, security studies participates in the production of a hierarchical world it purports only to describe. Postcolonialism thus represents a politically engaged intervention in the practices through which knowledge of the international is produced, siding both implicitly and explicitly with the subaltern, with those who have been excluded, marginalized, or silenced in world politics. As such, its implications extend far beyond the field of security studies narrowly defined.
Section reference: 9.1 Introduction

Postcolonialism highlights the consequences for analysis of Eurocentrism and promises better social scientific explanations by taking into account marginalized points of view. correct incorrect

Postcolonialism identifies the multiple ways in which security studies expresses the point of view of the colonizers and imperialists and asks how and for whom security is defined. correct incorrect

Postcolonialism holds out the possibility of more plural, enabling, and transformative understandings of our world. correct incorrect

All of the above correct incorrect

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. Which of the following ways is NOT a defining feature that distinguishes postcolonialism from other perspectives on security?

Postcolonialism uniquely considers the nation or community group as a valid referent object in security studies. correct incorrect

Postcolonialism takes account not only of major wars, but also of so-called 'small wars' and asymmetric conflicts. correct incorrect

Postcolonialism employs a distinctive focus on the role of violence in world politics. correct incorrect

Postcolonialism is not a predominantly or exclusively European form of knowledge. correct incorrect

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. What are the three forms of violence identified by postcolonialism?

Material violence, Epistemic violence, and Structural violence correct incorrect

Epistemic violence, Pervasive violence, and Structural violence correct incorrect

Material violence, Structural violence, and Pervasive violence correct incorrect

Material violence, Pervasive violence, and Epistemic violence correct incorrect

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. Which of the following statements is true within the postcolonial approach?

The international system is shaped through colonized discourse that establishes notions of certain states as inferior to others. correct incorrect

European practices of free trade and democracy are best suited to creating a peaceful and stable international system. correct incorrect

With the end of the Second World War and gradual dissolution of the British Empire, much of postcolonialism is redundant. correct incorrect

Colonial power exists only through the military actions of occupying states. correct incorrect

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. Which of the following best describes the 'Orient' according to Edward Said?

The Orient is a constructed subject that is imagined as inferior, irrational, and backward, in comparison to the West. correct incorrect

The Orient is a geographical term that is used to describe east Asia. correct incorrect

The Orient is a constructed subject that must be rejected by scholars in order to analyse security. correct incorrect

The Orient is an imaged subject which occupies the dominant intellectual position in society. correct incorrect

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. In what way might postcolonial analysis use the term 'thick space'?

To describe the international as hierarchically ordered and comprised of a dense set of constructed political, economic, social, military, and cultural relations correct incorrect

To describe the international as a space generated by the knowledge and practice of Western powers to favour the so-called third world correct incorrect

To describe countries that are oppressed or marginalized within imperial readings of IR correct incorrect

To describe the power embodied by colonizers and Westphalian norms that underpin Eurocentric perceptions of the international correct incorrect

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. Which of the following best describes the 'subaltern' in postcolonialism?

The subaltern refers to all those who are located geographically within the global south. correct incorrect

The subaltern is a term applied to a specific group of scholars from the global south. correct incorrect

The subaltern refers to populations that are marginalized or outside of the hegemonic power structure. correct incorrect

The subaltern refers to all those located geographically within the subcontinent of India. correct incorrect