This article is about the evaluation of European colonialism. For other examples of colonialism, see colonization.
Western European colonialism and colonization was the Western European policy or practice of acquiring full or partial political control over other societies and territories, founding a colony, occupying it with settlers, and exploiting it economically.[1][2] For example, colonial policies, such as the type of rule implemented,[3] the nature of investments,[4][5] and identity of the colonizers,[6] are cited as impacting postcolonial states. Examination of the state-building process, economic development, and cultural norms and mores shows the direct and indirect consequences of colonialism on the postcolonial states. It has been estimated that Britain and France traced almost 50% of the entire length of today's international boundaries as a result of British and French imperialism.[7][8]
^Bertocchi, Graziella; Canova, Fabio (1 December 2002). "Did colonization matter for growth?: An empirical exploration into the historical causes of Africa's underdevelopment". European Economic Review. 46 (10): 1851–1871. doi:10.1016/S0014-2921(01)00195-7.