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Colonialism and Science

Colonialism and Science in the 19th century

Scientific discoveries in 19th century Britain

Although most might like to consider the main motivation behind scientific progress in Great Britain as the quest for knowledge, the country's colonial past offered also a strong incentive for scientists to continue their works in order to "preserve the Empire". For instance, as the British doctor Sir Ronald Ross stated, “in the coming century, the success of imperialism will depend largely upon success with the microscope.” This would allow troops posted overseas to improve their health and medical care, which would enable them to continue exercising their hold in British colonies. Another example is cartography, which benefits the military and explorers in conquering new territories and establishing trade routes. Therefore, scientific prowess was encouraged as a means to an end, which was ultimately to continue the legacy of imperialism and demonstrating how power imbalance has weaved its way into the discipline of science.

A lack of acknowledgment

In the past, many scientific findings were wrongfully associated with privileged male scientists, who were highly regarded and respected, rather than the oppressed and disadvantaged people who were the rightful discoverers. For example, in a Jamaican plantation in the 1900's, a slave had been discovered with a plant regarded as poisonous at the time. Accused of sowing discord and rebellion in the plant, the latter was rapidly punished and sentenced to death. However, following the incident, European scientists then took interest into the said plant, which then proved to be Apocynum erectum, capable of curing many ailments such as worms and cold swellings. This is a typical representation of how European colonialism led to scientists exploiting their power and dominance to falsly attribute themselves to important advances in a discipline.

The remnants of colonialism today

Although many global empires have now disappeared, their colonial footprints still leave traces in today's world. Scientific research papers and journals from the Western countries are inherently considered with more respect than their counterparts from "third world countries". The former empires have left most of the world in a disadvantaged state, forcing them to have to "keep up" with the progress of developed countries, even as their own growth has been stunted by years of occupation. Consequently, they lack the necessary funding and resources necessary to undergo thorough scientific research and experiments, once again placing the "privileged countries" in a position of power as they hold the majority of the world's best infrastructures. Nowadays, prominent researchers all flock to the latter to be able to continue their work in the best possible conditions. Thus, the most reputable universities, journals and papers are all located in the West, and published by the West, creating a self-contained sphere of scientific knowledge with little opportunity for the rest of the world to take part in.