Postcolonial Theory 

Postcolonial theory is a critical analysis of the present day impacts of the history of colonization and colonialism. Similar to critical race theory, it poses that the systemic structures of todays world are largely influenced by colonialism. Certain social structures that exist today were constructed during the era of colonialism, while other structures have been deeply influenced by this ideology. Many current systemic structures have been directly constructed by the act of colonization and its consequences.

This draws comparisons to neocolonial theory, which also poses that global political and economic structures have been directly influenced by the history of colonization (Rahaman, 2017). The largest example of this is the divide between the global north and global south. Most countries in the global north, also described as "developed" or "first world" countries, can attribute their economic power and prestige either to colonizing other countries or trading with colonizing nations. On the other hand, almost all countries in the global south can attribute their lack of political and economic power to colonialism. Neocolonialism is described as a "camouflaged imperialist practice" and essentially acts as an appendage of colonialism (Rahaman, 2017). While they have many similarities, neocolonialism does have more emphasis on economic and political factors, while postcolonial theory also emphasizes culture. This is very relevant to critical race theory and white supremacy, as white supremacy seeks to establish and maintain complete domination of non-white people both politically and economically, but at its root, culturally. White supremacy seeks to establish white people and white culture as the superior culture to all others, which is then used as justification for the political and economic subjugation of non-white people. This is an important reason for the distinction between the theories and the value of postcolonial theory. White supremacy and colonialism have led to political and economic oppression of non-white people, but the foundational beliefs that motivate, inform, and justify this oppression is cultural and racial superiority.  

One of the most impactful ways religion has influenced our current world is colonialism. The role of religion in colonialism is vast and has shaped systemic structures in the present day. One important example is the role of Catholic Church in colonization and slavery. The Doctrine of Discovery, which was a legal concept and document issued by the Catholic pope Alexander VI which claimed Catholic religion and culture as superior to all others, and provided legal grounds for the seizure of any land that was not inhabited by Christians (United Nations, 2012). This allowed for the colonization of countless countries and cultures, many of which were directly sanctioned by the Catholic Church, and continued the dehumanization of all non-white people. This also allowed for mass indoctrination and subjugation of non-Christians through things like mission, conquests, and boarding schools, many of which were sanctioned and operated by the Catholic Church (United Nations, 2012). The Doctrine of Discovery also later developed into the Protestant concept of Manifest Destiny, which led to westward expansion of the United States and consequentially stolen land, forced removal, and the deaths of tens of thousands of Indigenous Americans (Sturgis, 2006). These are just a few examples of the enormous role that religion and religious organizations had in colonialism.

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​Sociologist Julian Go claims that postcolonial theory has large influence in humanities but does not have the same influence on the field of sociology in North America. While postcolonial theory has been incorporated into "Indigenous" or "Southern" sociology, Go argues that it should be imported into sociology in North America as it provides a substantial critique of the field (Go, 2012). The reason for this is the tendency of sociology to "analytically bifurcate social relations," meaning conceptually dividing relations into essentially imaginary categories. Postcolonial theory can act as a solution to this issue, as the theory does not disconnect relations, but instead seeks to provide a holistic and interrelated understanding of society and history (Go, 2012). This is essential in order to have a comprehensive and ultimately accurate understanding of how history has shaped society in the present day. By having a holistic understanding of this we are better able to understand ourselves, our world, and how we can change the world for the better. Again, similar to critical theory, the point of theory is not simply to understand the world, but to change it for the better.