The Dollmaker Roots in Colonialism

The Doll Maker” Oil on canvas. 

Angelo Comte de Courten (1848-1925)

Well finally found the name of the painting and who made it. It’s one of the few where you see someone working on their craft, more poignant that it’s a woman making the clothing and accessories.

I am aware that researching European history has its roots in colonialism. Which has systemic problems colonialism creates like genocide, forced religious conversion, murder of minority groups, racism, etc. Acknowledging the problematic past, lets us try to move beyond to make a better society. Studying history teaches us not to repeat the errors of the past.

That we can be better be a multicultural society that is inclusive with equity of opportunity and financial success regardless of background. This will not happen without changing the way that most current economies tie the structure of their society to capitalism. 

Which only accommodates a smaller portion of society regarding financial success. While keeping a larger workforce in a perpetual state of financial dependency on their employment. Some economies use communist principles in varying degrees to create a structure to care for their citizens. Other economies use less to no social programs in the name of freedom, and many capitalist societies lean in this direction. 

No one economy is perfect but varying degrees of social financial programs can help support their respective citizens in many different ways. If certain basic human needs are met like base livable wage, healthcare, housing, food, education, and similar programs provided by the government. This keeps privately operated corporations are kept in check due to regulation and oversight. The profits are kept in a range where the companies are not allowed to run their workforce into the ground for shareholder profit. 

Now this is discussed in current models of economies. Some models work, while others fail, and still others seek improvement. I find it interesting how the course of European history is an example model. The continent went from a Republic to an Empire, then to medieval Feudalism leads to Absolute Monarchy, which then leads to a Constitutional Monarchy. Colonialism was created and caused its issues as noted above. This eventually then leads colonial citizens to want another form of government, which leads to a Constitutional Federal Republic, which is what the United States is at this time. 

With just this brief overview of how the style of government changed over time. Shows how everyday citizens really worked on what kind of government they want representing their causes. Mainly white societies at first, although more recently societies of color shirk off the chains of colonialism.  So it begs the question, which kind of modern government is the right mix to be best all around for their citizens at large? 

I didn’t intend this post to be a lecture on the forms of world government economics with a minor diversity equity and inclusion lesson. Although we can not take history out of its context. Especially the impact it had on its people at the time. 

Just know that when I am researching clothing and dolls from various time periods. I do my best to consider the context they would have lived under. We learn best when our minds are open. 

Food for Thought,

Maureen