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Imperialism: Relationship Between Power And Knowledge

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Introduction The aim of this essay is to discuss the relationship between power and knowledge in the context of imperialism as written by Prof. Said, and to determine how relevant it is today. In the context of imperialism, Said saw a strong synergy between power and knowledge; both interacts to construct ideas and realities of/for peoples, their lands, geography, cultures, and history. This essay will be divided into three unequal parts; the first segment will be an analysis of the relationship between power and knowledge with reference to imperialism according to Prof. Edward Said, and the second segment will discuss to what extent his analysis is relevant today, and finally the conclusion. For the first segment, my argument falls into …show more content…

The ideas of cultural hegemony by Gramsci and the writings of Foucault (regarding power and knowledge) influenced Said. The Foucauldian notion that ‘knowledge is not innocent but profoundly connected with the operation of power’ (p.392); which Mayasandra (2006) cited from Loomba (1998), resonates with Said’s opinion regarding the relationship between power and knowledge in the context of imperialism. This Foucauldian notion was captured well in the following quote and in many other instances by Said (2003), when he argued that ‘it is Europe that articulates the orient; this articulation is the prerogative, not of a puppet master, but of a genuine creator, whose life-giving power represents, animates, constitutes the otherwise silent and dangerous space beyond familiar boundaries’ …show more content…

According to Doty (1996), North South Relations is ‘(…) a realm of politics wherein the very identities of people, states, and regions are constructed through representational practices.’ (p.2). This representation is about the South as ‘(…) discursively represented by policy makers, scholars, journalists, and others in the North.’ (Doty,1996, p.2). Thus, the imagery, words and perceptions held about the Orient/South is what the North constructed it to be; this could only be done from a position of power linked with knowledge, Said (2003)

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