Jim Merkel’s Post

***NEW PAPER ALERT*** This paper offers a pathway toward Indigenous-led conservation, heals contemporary intra-Pasifika harm, and concludes with the goal of decolonizing conservation in the Pacific Remote Islands. Political and community leaders in the U.S. Pacific territories have proclaimed near universal opposition to the proposed PRI sanctuary. The campaign to expand and designate the sanctuary in the Pacific Remote Islands has failed to meaningfully include the Indigenous people who live closest to the region and who have the strongest historical and cultural ties to the islands—Micronesians and Samoans. We proposed a pathway towards getting to a designation in support of #30x30 and #AmericatheBeautiful: 1. engage in meaningful dialog 2. respect the rights and interests of Indigenous people 3. Ensure Indigenous input and consultation in decision-making processes and management Colonialism has historically pitted Indigenous people against one another.  When we explore our shared Pasifiku histories, cultures, and identities, we must do so in a respectful and intentional manner to ensure pluralistic advocacy encompassing multiple perspectives. As a pair of authors, one Chamorro and the other Kanaka Maoli, we invite both our communities to gather under a tree to discuss these very important and sensitive topics in a constructive manner. https://lnkd.in/eqFKKR7U

South Africa Return to Colonization: The Struggle Against Economic Dependency Recent presentations have presented the notion of recolonization as a pragmatic solution to South Africa return to colonization economic challenges. However, this idea of recolonization has raised important concerns about the country’s political landscape and its impact on its people. A meme recently circulated online, humorously labelling South Africa as the first African nation to recolonize itself. Despite eliciting laughter, the meme also emphasised the country’s ability to find humour in the face of adversity. But beneath this humour lies a critical examination of South Africa’s trajectory in July 2024, as it faces a challenge unthinkable to the visionaries who fought for its independence: recolonization. Table of ContentsSouth Africa Return to ColonizationWe are forming a national unity government.The Miracle of DecolonizationEconomic Recolonization as a Solution?How can these falsehoods persist?The Post-Colonial PredicamentThe Eerie Parallels to Colonialist GovernanceThe socialist betrayalConclusion – South Africa Return to Colonization We are forming a national unity government. In a controversial move, the formation of the Government of National Unity (GNU) has brought together Cyril Ramaphosa’s African National Congress (ANC) with the Democratic Alliance (DA) and other neoliberal parties. This alliance effectively marginalises progressive African parties like the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF). The political climate has also seen the Zimbabwean Movement for Restoration (MR) gain traction, purportedly in the name of economic stability, a move that critics argue undermines the anti-colonial aspirations of South Africa’s fight against apartheid and colonial rule. This partnership raises significant questions about South Africa’s political direction. Is the nation genuinely working towards a more just, fair, and equal society? Or is it reverting to patterns reminiscent of colonial times, where capitalist interests and imperialist influences take precedence over the well-being of its citizens? A grayscale image of a clenched fist raised in protest, overlaid with a South African flag, with a subtle chain wrapped around the wrist. The Miracle of Decolonization The concept of decolonization has long emphasised the dignity and autonomy of indigenous and colonised nations. However, the “Fees Must Fall” movement has faced significant opposition from liberal forces, including the media and academia, since its rise. The decolonization agenda encountered a formidable barrier of market-driven ideologies that directly opposed its core principles. Moreover, universities have attempted to limit the scope and impact of the decolonization discourse, accusing the governing ANC of suppressing it. In this context, can South Africa genuinely claim to have decolonized? What implications does the current situation hold for the

South Africa Return to Colonization: The Struggle Against Economic Dependency Recent presentations have presented the notion of recolonization as a pragmatic solution to South Africa return to colonization economic challenges. However, this idea of recolonization has raised important concerns about the country’s political landscape and its impact on its people. A meme recently circulated online, humorously labelling South Africa as the first African nation to recolonize itself. Despite eliciting laughter, the meme also emphasised the country’s ability to find humour in the face of adversity. But beneath this humour lies a critical examination of South Africa’s trajectory in July 2024, as it faces a challenge unthinkable to the visionaries who fought for its independence: recolonization. Table of ContentsSouth Africa Return to ColonizationWe are forming a national unity government.The Miracle of DecolonizationEconomic Recolonization as a Solution?How can these falsehoods persist?The Post-Colonial PredicamentThe Eerie Parallels to Colonialist GovernanceThe socialist betrayalConclusion – South Africa Return to Colonization We are forming a national unity government. In a controversial move, the formation of the Government of National Unity (GNU) has brought together Cyril Ramaphosa’s African National Congress (ANC) with the Democratic Alliance (DA) and other neoliberal parties. This alliance effectively marginalises progressive African parties like the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF). The political climate has also seen the Zimbabwean Movement for Restoration (MR) gain traction, purportedly in the name of economic stability, a move that critics argue undermines the anti-colonial aspirations of South Africa’s fight against apartheid and colonial rule. This partnership raises significant questions about South Africa’s political direction. Is the nation genuinely working towards a more just, fair, and equal society? Or is it reverting to patterns reminiscent of colonial times, where capitalist interests and imperialist influences take precedence over the well-being of its citizens? A grayscale image of a clenched fist raised in protest, overlaid with a South African flag, with a subtle chain wrapped around the wrist. The Miracle of Decolonization The concept of decolonization has long emphasised the dignity and autonomy of indigenous and colonised nations. However, the “Fees Must Fall” movement has faced significant opposition from liberal forces, including the media and academia, since its rise. The decolonization agenda encountered a formidable barrier of market-driven ideologies that directly opposed its core principles. Moreover, universities have attempted to limit the scope and impact of the decolonization discourse, accusing the governing ANC of suppressing it. In this context, can South Africa genuinely claim to have decolonized? What implications does the current situation hold for the

South Africa Return to Colonization: The Struggle Against Economic Dependency Recent presentations have presented the notion of recolonization as a pragmatic solution to South Africa return to colonization economic challenges. However, this idea of recolonization has raised important concerns about the country’s political landscape and its impact on its people. A meme recently circulated online, humorously labelling South Africa as the first African nation to recolonize itself. Despite eliciting laughter, the meme also emphasised the country’s ability to find humour in the face of adversity. But beneath this humour lies a critical examination of South Africa’s trajectory in July 2024, as it faces a challenge unthinkable to the visionaries who fought for its independence: recolonization. Table of ContentsSouth Africa Return to ColonizationWe are forming a national unity government.The Miracle of DecolonizationEconomic Recolonization as a Solution?How can these falsehoods persist?The Post-Colonial PredicamentThe Eerie Parallels to Colonialist GovernanceThe socialist betrayalConclusion – South Africa Return to Colonization We are forming a national unity government. In a controversial move, the formation of the Government of National Unity (GNU) has brought together Cyril Ramaphosa’s African National Congress (ANC) with the Democratic Alliance (DA) and other neoliberal parties. This alliance effectively marginalises progressive African parties like the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF). The political climate has also seen the Zimbabwean Movement for Restoration (MR) gain traction, purportedly in the name of economic stability, a move that critics argue undermines the anti-colonial aspirations of South Africa’s fight against apartheid and colonial rule. This partnership raises significant questions about South Africa’s political direction. Is the nation genuinely working towards a more just, fair, and equal society? Or is it reverting to patterns reminiscent of colonial times, where capitalist interests and imperialist influences take precedence over the well-being of its citizens? A grayscale image of a clenched fist raised in protest, overlaid with a South African flag, with a subtle chain wrapped around the wrist. The Miracle of Decolonization The concept of decolonization has long emphasised the dignity and autonomy of indigenous and colonised nations. However, the “Fees Must Fall” movement has faced significant opposition from liberal forces, including the media and academia, since its rise. The decolonization agenda encountered a formidable barrier of market-driven ideologies that directly opposed its core principles. Moreover, universities have attempted to limit the scope and impact of the decolonization discourse, accusing the governing ANC of suppressing it. In this context, can South Africa genuinely claim to have decolonized? What implications does the current situation hold for the

✋Interested in #indigenouspeoples and #humanrights? @IWGIA published the 38th edition of the Indigenous World, 🙌 Download it at http://bit.ly/2nTAsKO - Curious about developments in South Africa? 👉: https://bit.ly/4c2TIrP The Indigenous World 2024 report by IWGIA highlights the status and ongoing challenges of the San and Khoekhoe peoples in South Africa. These communities continue to face significant issues, such as: Historical Land Injustices: Many Indigenous communities still await the resolution of historical land claims, which leaves them without secure access to their ancestral territories and impacts their cultural and economic activities. Insufficient Legal Recognition: The San and Khoekhoe peoples are not formally recognized under national legislation, which hampers their ability to assert their rights and obtain necessary resources. Cultural Marginalization: Indigenous languages and cultural practices are under threat, with limited efforts to preserve and promote these vital aspects of their heritage, leading to a loss of cultural identity. Economic Exclusion: High levels of poverty prevail among Indigenous communities, who face barriers to accessing economic opportunities and resources, exacerbating their marginalization. Environmental Threats: Industrial activities such as mining and large-scale agriculture pose significant risks to traditional lands, causing environmental degradation that affects the livelihoods and well-being of Indigenous populations. The report underscores the urgent need for policies that recognize and protect Indigenous rights, ensuring their inclusion in sustainable development efforts.

Today, I want to wear my social scientist and rural development expert hat. Sharing a different perspective of history around famous founders of nations: When we think of historical figures like Christopher Columbus, James Cook, David Livingstone, or Jan van Riebeeck, we often celebrate their "discoveries" and founding of nations. But let's pause and acknowledge a different narrative—one that recognizes the indigenous peoples who were already inhabiting these lands long before the arrival of explorers or settlers. For instance, when Captain Cook landed in Australia in 1770, indigenous Australians had been thriving on the continent for over 65,000 years, developing intricate cultures, languages, and social systems. Similarly, Livingstone's exploration of what is now Malawi in the 19th century overlooked the presence of various indigenous ethnic groups who had long called the region home. These groups had established sophisticated societies with complex political structures, economies, and belief systems. In South Africa, the arrival of Jan van Riebeeck in 1652 is often depicted as the founding moment. Yet, the land was already home to numerous indigenous groups, including the Khoikhoi and San peoples, who had lived there for thousands of years, with their own rich cultures and ways of life. This broader perspective challenges the Eurocentric view of history and emphasizes the need to prioritize indigenous perspectives in our understanding of the past. As we reflect on history, let's strive for a more inclusive narrative that honors the sovereignty and rights of indigenous peoples, and acknowledges their enduring legacies in shaping the world we live in today. #History #Colonization #IndigenousRights #SocialScience #RuralDevelopment

Democratic confederalism is a political concept about a system of democratic self-organization with the features of a confederation based on the principles of autonomy, direct democracy, political ecology, feminism, multiculturalism, self-defense, self-governance, and elements of a cooperative economy:

📢 Exciting News! The latest issue of Migration and Society has just been published, co-edited by Professor Elena Fiddian-Qasmiyeh, Dr Tatiana Thieme and Professor Mette L. Berg. Featuring themed sections on "Critical Humanitarianisms" and "Colonialism and Postcoloniality in Forced Migration Studies," this issue brings together voices and perspectives from across the globe. With articles, creative pieces, and critical reflections, the journal builds on past editions to examine the future of migration scholarship and the importance of global solidarities in facing ongoing displacement challenges. 🌍 🔗 Read the issue now: tinyurl.com/ucl-msoc #MigrationAndSociety #MigrationResearch #GlobalSolidarities #CriticalHumanitarianism #PostcolonialStudies #KnowledgeProduction

In JAE 78.1 “Woman, Water, Freedom” author Ghazal Jafari asks: “What can a gendered study of hydrological missions—from orientalist survey of waterways to civilizing missions of resource management, state building projects, and militarization of rivers across the past 150 years—teach us about interdependencies of climate justice and feminist liberation in the 21st century?” Throughout the essay, Jafari uses countermapping to illustrate the conflict between hydrological interventions and women’s water literacy in the Khuzestan Region since the mid-twentieth century, revealing the violent nature of hydrological paternalism across times and political regimes. Demystifying these historical entanglements makes the case for the rematriation of rivers as a necessary step in the transborder and cross-cultural process of decolonization and feminist liberation. JAE 78.1 is available to read for FREE with open access through April 30, 2024. Visit https://bit.ly/3UfCHob to access the full essay. Image 1. Forest as Garden, Mountain as Home: Lur tribal rug, detailed motifs imaging women, camp life, animals, and running water. Courtesy of James Opie. Published by Taylor & Francis Group #JAE #AcademicJournal #climatejustice #feministliberation #waterliteracy #decolonization 

Nigeria’s challenges were foretold. In his seminal book, “Democracy and Prebendal Politics in Nigeria,” Prof. Richard Joseph analysed how prebendalism would hinder Nigeria’s development. Prebendalism describes a political system in which government officials misuse their positions to privatise state resources for themselves and their ethnic, religious, or social groups.  He cautioned that "Nigeria was building a republic on crumbling stones." On Wednesday, November 20, 2024, Prof. Joseph was my guest on Development Discourse, The Nextier ’s public policy discussion platform.  We covered many topics, reflecting on the past, the present, and what the future may hold. Prof. Joseph highlighted the significant economic disparity between Asia and Sub-Saharan Africa. While the former prioritised investments in human capital, physical infrastructure, and transformative leadership, Nigeria, for example, remains trapped in the vicious cycle of prebendal politics. In the context of the 2024 Nobel Prize in Economics, Prof. Joseph emphasised the importance of institutions as an explainer variable. He downplayed the impact of path dependency by citing Botswana and Singapore as examples of countries that, despite facing historical challenges, made strategic decisions that led to their progress. He stressed that Nigeria can follow a similar path, if it can significantly reshape its political economy. Professor Joseph articulated a vision for an “enterprise society” where individuals leverage their skills to promote economic growth. This vision is underpinned by an education system responsive to the demands of a technologically driven world. Furthermore, revitalising Nigeria’s economy depends on empowering the general populace, especially the youth, rather than the current focus on the elite. While acknowledging religion’s role in Nigeria’s story, Prof. Joseph cautioned that relying on faith to address national challenges may diminish citizens' sense of agency. This could limit their active participation in building the nation. He acknowledged the positive examples of transparency and accountability exhibited by certain religious organisations, advocating for scaling these practices to promote broader societal transformation. Overcoming prebendal politics requires adopting alternative, ethical approaches to governance and development across all levels of society. It requires empowering Nigerians, particularly the youth, as catalysts for change. Citing Arthur Ashe—"Start where you are. Use what you have. Do what you can"—he encouraged a collective reimagining of the nation. This vision for nation-building requires collaboration among the government, civil society, and the private sector, grounded in optimism and a shared belief in the possibility of a brighter future. Click on https://bit.ly/DevDisc_PRJ to watch the chat. Similar videos are available on YouTube: “Development Discourse with Patrick O. Okigbo III.”