Discourse on Colonialism

“A civilization that proves incapable of solving the problems it creates is a decadent civilization. A civilization that chooses to close its eyes to its most crucial problems is a stricken civilization. A civilization that uses its principles for trickery and deceit is a dying civilization.” 

In this opening refrain from Césaire, the author emphasizes the consequences of a civilization that expands without taking accountability for the problems it creates in the process. Césaire presents one of his theses that Europe has justified colonization of non-Europeans through a combination of false moral reasoning and militaristic force. He finds the former method to be the most offending as it represents “trickery and deceit” and depicts a civilization that is weakly and anxiously trying to hold onto its last semblance of power.

“The fact is that the so-called European civilization—'Western’ civilization—as it has been shaped by two centuries of bourgeois rule, is incapable of solving the two major problems to which its existence has given rise: the problem of the proletariat and the colonial problem; that Europe is unable to justify itself either before the bar of ‘reason’ or before the bar of ‘conscience’; and that, increasingly, it takes refuge in a hypocrisy which is all the more odious because it is less and less likely to deceive.” 

For Césaire, colonialism and class conflict are intertwined issues stemming from Europe. For two centuries, the bourgeois or privileged middle class has influenced European social and political policies, particularly towards colonialism and expansion. According to Césaire, the bourgeoisie are responsible for producing and disseminating knowledge that not only justifies but advances colonial activity. Thus, the issue of colonialism must be discussed alongside the class problem in Europe.

“Europe is indefensible.” 

In the opening section, Césaire makes a strong claim that there is nothing justifiable or forgivable about Europe’s colonial efforts. He argues that Europe’s colonial efforts make the colonizers morally and spiritually bankrupt. He also notes that the U.