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Bruce Gilley holds the position of Professor of Political Science at Portland State University.
His academic pursuits are broad, covering topics such as comparative and international politics, democratic governance, climate change, political legitimacy, and international conflict.
He gained considerable attention for his controversial article, The Case for Colonialism, which became a focal point of academic debate. The article ignited a firestorm of controversy within the academic community.
Two separate petitions, signed by thousands of scholars, demanded not only the retraction of the article but also an apology from the journal Third World Quarterly. Additionally, they called for the dismissal of the editor who had overseen its publication. In the wake of this, 15 out of the 34 members of the journal’s editorial board chose to resign.
The publisher, Taylor & Francis, stood by the article, offering a detailed account of the rigorous peer-review process it had undergone. This was in an effort to counter allegations that the article was poorly executed pseudoscholarship. However, the journal ultimately decided to withdraw the article from both its print and online editions due to severe threats of violence aimed at the editor.
Bruce was not spared from the fallout. He faced a range of personal and professional attacks, including death threats.
Despite the controversy, the article made a case that colonialism had multifaceted impacts. It argued that colonial powers had introduced modern infrastructure, legal systems, educational institutions, and technological advancements in many regions they colonised.
The truth is that colonialism isn’t only negative. Consider the following.
- Colonial powers introduced modern infrastructure into many regions, including roads, railways, ports, and public buildings.
- Colonial powers often established new institutions, including legal systems, educational institutions, and administrative structures.
- Colonisation often led to the introduction of new technologies and scientific knowledge.
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