Why does postcolonialism not mean that colonialism has completely ended?

The term "postcolonialism" refers to the historical period following the decline of formal Western colonialism, but it does not imply that colonialism itself has completely ended.1

The persistence of colonial-like dynamics is often described as neocolonialism, a system where developed nations and transnational corporations maintain control over developing countries through indirect, often economic, means. Rather than relying on direct rule, this modern form of domination utilizes international financial institutions, trade policies, and investments to perpetuate dependency and exploit labor and raw materials.2

Furthermore, postcolonial theorists emphasize that the legacy of imperialism remains deeply embedded in global structures. Even after formal independence, many nations struggle with the psychological and systemic impositions of colonial rule, as well as the challenge of overcoming binary oppositions and unequal power relations established during the imperial era. Consequently, postcolonialism signals a project to rethink and reclaim history, acknowledging that while the era of direct colonial administration may have largely concluded, new forms of subordination and global empire continue to emerge.13