Maia Ramnath - Decolonizing Anarchism.pdf - Libcom

16 I Ramnath
different reasons-among Illany who share nothing else.
TIle positive counterpart is the prefigurative project of
creating the conditions that generate equity and emancipation.
Many anarchists emphasize this as a distinguishing
feature of their praxis; here limitless variation is possible
among divergent visions of an idealized fu ture. Of course
we insist that even in the midst of struggle, the visions
can't be postponed, since the route we choose determines
where we end up. But since resistance is the common denominator,
clarifying the nature of the enemy is a logical
place to start. In redefining what we're fo r, it always helps
to understand what we're against.
Anticolonialism Nationalism
"lhe words colonialism and imperialism are often used
interchangeably, although there are some nuances.
Imperialism is the projection of power by a political entity
beyond its territorial jurisdiction, whether through
economic or military means, hard power or soft, or some
combination thereof It may take the fo rm of direct occupation
along with some degree of administrative control,
though strategically located bases or concessions are cheaper,
easier, and demand less responsibility fo r the residents.
Colonization, which originally denoted settlement within
metastasizing enclaves, has more recently come to imply
hegemony through the export of culture.
In the national liberation context, using the terminology
of imperialism as opposed to colonialism suggested an