Decolonization and World Order

Abstract

Where does new work on decolonization stand in relation to preceding work on empire and postcolonial theory? In what circumstances should we situate decolonization’s ascendance in political theory? This “state-of-the-field” essay surveys a spectrum of recent work and offers a snapshot of generational change. It suggests that new research on decolonization is less indebted to established debates surrounding liberalism, empire, and postcolonial theory than often assumed. The discipline’s geographical reach is much expanded. And the questions that concerned decolonization’s leading actors and theorists are now at the forefront of inquiry. However, past insights from postcolonial theory are at risk of being lost, and significant methodological challenges remain for future work.