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Ioan Alexandru GHERASIM
Corvinus University of Budapest
Colonialism is a phenomenon that accompanies the whole history of our species, as it can be argued that such practices are to be found in the becoming and existence of humankind, or putting it otherwise, are in the “patterns” of all “civilizations”. As the modes / relations of production followed one after another, moving from slavery to feudalism and subsequently to capitalism – including a detour through socialism in some vast areas of the world –, an entire iterative process was set in motion. Yet, understanding the reality of colonialism cannot escape the legitimate need for a thorough scrutiny of the concept itself. It was considered by a great variety of theorists and historians of international relations (be they economists or political scientists, sociologists and anthropologists, moral or cultural philosophers). Moreover, followers of all currents / doctrines / ideologies in the sphere of international relations have identified typologies or observed the cohabitation of polemical approaches: deontological vs. utilitarian (speaking in terms of individual natural rights or collective costs and benefits), vindictive vs. pardonable (asking for historical reparations for the damages done or excusing sacrifices in the name of progress).

ŒCONOMICA no. 3/2019
Keywords: colonialism, neocolonialism, postcolonialism, imperialism
JEL: F50, F54
Colonial Realities – Amidst Conceptual “Lights” and “Shadows”