Week 7 - Quijano - Coloniality of Power

Question 1

Center-Periphery Theory

Answer 1

It suggests that the deterioration of the terms of trade and the uneven distribution of technical progress is responsible for economical “underdevelopment” in Latin America and colonies. The countries from the “core” have better technological and trade conditions, while the periphery suffers from the exploitation of labor and resources.
(Look for Raul Prebish and Celso Furtado to learn more)

Question 2

Theory of modernization

Answer 2

It suggests that all societies progress through similar stages of development. According to this theory, helping underdeveloped areas out of poverty is a way to accelerate their stages and to include them into the global market. (Look for “dependency theory” for an opposed version/critique.)

Question 3

Dependency theory

Answer 3

It rejects modernization theory by arguing that “underdeveloped countries” are not primitive versions of development. They have unique features and they are the weaker members (periphery) of the market economy.

Question 4

Intersubjectivity

Answer 4

Collective subjectivity or shared cognition. The process in which we share our knowledge and approaches with others.
The concept allows us to escape from the subjectivity / objectivity dualism.

Question 5

Modern dualism

Answer 5

Eurocentric vision that separates nature from society, the body from reason. It does not understand the “totality” problem. It categorizes the indigenous as “old” and the European as “new.” It generates dualities between pre-capital / capital, European / non-European, primitive / civilized, traditional / modern.

Question 6

Modernity

Answer 6

Cultural, social and historical processes produced since the Renaissance in Europe that generated new social classes, industrialization and the “triumph” of reason over religion. Concept built for and from Europe.

Question 7

Transmodernity

Answer 7

An alternative to modernity, suggested by Enrique Dussel, to incorporate third world cultures which claim a space in modernity.

Question 8

Historical materialism

Answer 8

A term from Karl Marx in opposition to Hegel. Hegel suggests that history is constructed by “great ideas” and “great men.” For Marx, “it is not the spirit that determines history”, but a structure of economic relations, modes of production and class struggles.