Switzerland and 'Colonialism without Colonies'. Reflections on the Status of Colonial Outsiders.

Purtschert, Patricia; Falk, Francesca; Lüthi, Barbara (2016). Switzerland and 'Colonialism without Colonies'. Reflections on the Status of Colonial Outsiders. Interventions. International Journal of Postcolonial Studies, 18(2), pp. 286-302. Taylor & Francis 10.1080/1369801X.2015.1042395

Text 1369801X.2015.pdf - Published Version Restricted to registered users only Available under License Publisher holds Copyright. Download (542kB)

In this essay the theoretical focus of postcolonial theory has been shifted from the cultures and societies of former formal colonies to those countries that have an explicit self-understanding as an outsider within the European colonial power constellation. Using the example of Switzerland, it analyses the presence and perseverance of colonial structures and power relations in a country that has never been regarded as or understood itself as an official colonial power. In a first step, we compare present debates on colonialism in Switzerland with those in neighbouring countries, i.e. France, Germany, Italy and Austria. In a second step, we trace previous research that postulates a link between Switzerland and colonialism, and apply the concept of ‘colonialism without colonies’, which, in contrast, engages with methods and themes that have emerged from postcolonial studies. Finally, we present a specific case study on ‘Swiss commodity racism’ in order to elucidate the concept ‘colonialism without colonies’.

Interest & Impact

Downloads

7 since deposited on 07 Oct 2016
0 in the past 12 months

Citations

5 Citations in Web of Science ®
6 Citations in Scopus

Search

in Google Scholar™

Services

Actions (login required)

Edit item

Actions (login required)

Edit item