Southern Theory
By Raewyn Connell
Social Science and the Global Dynamics of Knowledge. Polity, 2007.
Summary of Southern Theory book by Raewyn Connell
An examination of how the social sciences—and sociology in particular—embody unequal power dynamics between Western countries and marginalized, often postcolonial ones, urging us to pay attention to the fascinating social theory produced in those exploited places.
Chapters in Southern Theory book summary
What do you get from this book? How the Western domination of social science has ignored alternative perspectives and knowledge
Social science began with intellectuals in the North Atlantic world who benefitted from—and were blind to—imperialism
Modern theories of society are based on flawed generalizations and continue to ignore the legacy of colonialism
“Globalization” is a northern explanation of an ongoing change in the world, which peripheral theorists see differently
Australian sociology was modelled on American and European ideas, but Aboriginal Australian perspectives would help enrich the field
Indigenous African social theories can provide insight into African societies’ structures and histories
Iran’s rich intellectual history has sought to uncover the dynamics between Islamic and Western societies
Economic domination by the United States and Europe has cultural consequences for Latin America, as its social scientists show
Gandhi and other Indian theorists offered penetrating ideas about the psychology of colonialism, driven by its effect on India
Social science needs to focus on specific places rather than abstractions, as Indigenous land disputes show
A new social science that incorporates Southern theories is possible and could be meaningful for democracy itself
Summary of the key insights
Selected critiques in brief
Final word
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Southern Theory — Book Summary Snapshot
Who should read Southern Theory book
- Sociologists
- philosophers
- economics and psychology students
- anyone interested in colonialism
- social activists and those working to spread democracy
About the author of Southern Theory
Raewyn Connell
Raewyn Connell is one of Australia’s leading sociologists, specializing in theories of masculinity, where her 1993 book Masculinities is the most-cited in the field. She was a professor at the University of Sydney for ten years, and won the Australian Sociological Association’s award for contributions to the discipline. Her other publications include Making the Difference and Gender and Power.
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