Universities Push Postcolonial Theory, Shaping a Generation's View of the West
A column argues that university curricula increasingly emphasize postcolonial theory, portraying Western societies as primary oppressors and influencing young people's attitudes.
The essay contends that modern higher-education courses heavily feature postcolonial theory, which frames international relations as a simple clash between colonizer and colonized. Originating in the 1960s and borrowing from Marxist concepts, the theory originally examined post-independence societies but now often blames Western powers such as the United States and Britain for global inequities. Influential academics like Mahmood Mamdani—father of New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani—teach these ideas at elite institutions including Columbia, Yale and Stanford, spreading a narrative that casts the West as an imperial villain.
The author connects this academic trend to recent acts of statue defacement in Boston, Miami, Baltimore, New York City and Portland, interpreting them as manifestations of the same grievance mindset. By contrast, the piece highlights economist Dambisa Moyo’s view that freedom, competitive markets and a Judeo-Christian cultural base are the true drivers of prosperity. It concludes that while critical examination of history is valuable, the current emphasis on postcolonial theory functions more as indoctrination than education.
Why it matters
The piece warns that university teachings may shape young adults' perceptions of the West, influencing political attitudes and public actions.
In this story