August 16, 2025

From Promise to Pitfall: Rethinking the Role of Postcolonial Theory in Intercultural Communication—Insights from Decolonizing Global Health Discourse

Key Points

Postcolonial theory highlights power imbalances in intercultural communication, yet actual change remains limited.
Despite the promising theoretical insights of postcolonial thought, the discourse around decolonization often feels symbolic and lacks depth.
The analysis centers on the intersection of postcolonial theory and global health, particularly in the context of COVID-19 as a pivotal moment.
Emphasizing the need for effective engagement with postcolonial theory, this discussion points to vital implications for future intercultural communication research.

Abstract

Postcolonial theory has reshaped intercultural communication, shifting the focus from cultural differences to power imbalances. While its theoretical insights are promising, calls for decolonization often feel symbolic, lacking structural change. Overuse risks reducing it to rhetoric rather than a driver of transformation. Exemplified by the Decolonization of Global Health discourse, especially since COVID-19, postcolonial ideas are frequently invoked without meaningful action. Despite increased awareness, actual change remains elusive in this field. This discussion bridges the gap between critique and action, emphasizing the implications for intercultural communication research and underscoring the need for precise and transformative engagement with postcolonial thought.

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