decolonize
Decolonize is a verb describing the process of dismantling colonial rule and its legacies, or more broadly, challenging and transforming social, political, and epistemic structures derived from colonial domination. In its political sense, decolonization refers to the transfer of sovereignty from colonial rulers to indigenous or local populations, often through negotiations, referenda, or wars of independence. The modern wave began in the mid-20th century as many colonies in Asia, Africa, the Caribbean, and the Pacific gained independence after World War II, reshaping international relations and leading to the creation of new states under the United Nations and other multilateral frameworks. Notable examples include India (1947), Algeria (1962), and numerous sub-Saharan African states in the 1950s–1970s. The process frequently involved negotiations on borders, governance systems, economic restructuring, and post-independence nation-building, though it also produced ongoing challenges such as neocolonial influence, economic dependency, and conflicts over territorial rights.
In cultural and intellectual discourse, decolonizing refers to questioning and redressing the dominance of Western knowledge