Southern Theory Summary

“How can we understand our society if we only see it through the lens of European colonizers and ignore the voices of the oppressed?”

1. Sociology was born during the age of empires.

Sociology originated in Europe and the United States during the late 19th century when Western empires were at their peak. The world was being reshaped through conquest, colonization, and the exploitation of indigenous peoples.

The discipline emerged as a way for the empires to study and catalog the societies they dominated. Early sociologists like Émile Durkheim conducted studies of colonized societies, such as Algeria’s Kabyle people, without addressing the violent methods through which these societies came under study.

The focus on Western imperial perspectives embedded power imbalances into sociology from its inception. Instead of viewing colonized people as equals, early sociology framed them as “inferior cultures” in need of civilization.

Examples

• French sociologist Émile Durkheim studied Algeria’s Kabyle people only after France had violently colonized the country.
• Between 1898 and 1913, over two-thirds of reviews in L’Année Sociologique focused on colonized territories.
• The discipline became entrenched in universities after WWI, solidifying its foundation in Western-centric ideas.

2. Power dynamics from colonialism linger in modern sociology.

Although colonies around the world have gained independence, the relationships built during colonialism continue to influence sociology. The discipline still prioritizes theories from Western centers of power.

Modern sociological research often applies Western theories to the Global South, overlooking local perspectives. Many studies continue to frame non-Western societies as “backward” or compare them to European societies, ignoring histories of colonization and exploitation.

The imbalance of whose knowledge is deemed legitimate persists. Southern scholars face barriers in publishing their work, especially if they critique Northern theories or focus on local realities.

Examples

• James S. Coleman’s work on social theory categorized societies as “primitive” or “modern,” ignoring the effects of colonization.
• Indigenous frameworks are often excluded from mainstream sociological studies dominated by Western academics.
• Southern scholars often struggle to have their research published in leading journals.

3. The North-South divide illuminates global inequality.

The concept of a divide between the “global North” (wealthy and industrialized) and “global South” (recently colonized and developing) reflects a legacy of imperialism. These terms highlight the power dynamics left behind by European expansion.

While globalization seems to connect the world, the benefits often concentrate in the North, while the South bears the consequences. Technologies, for instance, may spread worldwide, but developing nations often face exploitation of their labor and resources.

Seeing the world through this North-South divide reveals how “progress” promoted by the North often harms the South. A critical stance challenges the assumption that modernization always benefits everyone.

Examples

• Deforestation in the Amazon driven by global demand shows how progress harms indigenous peoples in the South.
• Global trade agreements often favor industries in North America and Europe while laborers in the South face poor wages.
• The term “globalization” emerged in Northern theories, neglecting its impacts on the South.

4. The African Renaissance reclaimed indigenous African voices.

Movements like the African Renaissance helped reclaim African cultures and knowledge that colonialism sought to erase. Intellectuals argued against applying Western frameworks to African societies.

One standout figure was Akinsola Akiwowo, who drew on Nigerian traditions to develop theories grounded in African realities. He interpreted ritual poetry and highlighted the social concept of “asuwada,” a term describing community cohesion and societal creation.

This movement reasserted the importance of looking at African cultures from within rather than through Western perspectives. It marked a shift where Africans applied their knowledge to challenge dominant academic norms.

Examples

• Akiwowo based his sociological theories on Yoruba oral traditions, such as a Nigerian poem about creation.
• South African politician Thabo Mbeki emphasized African identity during his presidency.
• Movements like pan-Africanism highlighted the unity and strength of African peoples against colonialism.

5. The United States’ cultural dominance shapes Latin America.

Latin American sociologists have critiqued how the United States asserts cultural and political dominance over the region, particularly through media.

Ariel Dorfman and Armand Mattelart analyzed Disney comics in How to Read Donald Duck. They revealed how these stories upheld the class structures and power dynamics of the North, portraying Latin America as in need of Northern “rescue.”

These insights show how colonial mindsets are perpetuated culturally, restricting Latin America’s ability to break free from U.S. influence.

Examples

• Disney comics depicted Third World societies as “primitive” and reliant on wealthy characters to “rescue” them.
• The McDuck family’s stories reinforced the U.S. hegemonic image of itself as a savior.
• Disney attempted to block the book’s English translation, fearing its critical stance.

6. Indian historians highlighted subaltern perspectives.

India’s Subaltern Studies Group sought to uncover the history of colonized and oppressed classes. After independence, they focused on the unheard stories of peasants, workers, and rebels.

Their work used records from colonial authorities to reconstruct the events and actions of subalterns. For instance, Gautam Bhadra’s account of India’s 1857 uprisings told the story of villagers fighting against colonial rule.

This approach revolutionized understanding by giving voice to the suppressed histories of the disadvantaged.

Examples

• Bhadra highlighted Devi Singh and other peasant leaders of the 1857 rebellion.
• Dipesh Chakrabarty exposed the elites’ omission of Calcutta jute workers in official records.
• The group's studies earned recognition in North American postcolonial research.

7. Acknowledging inequality fosters balanced sociology.

Sociologists must address global inequalities to achieve a fair understanding of human societies. This requires exploring all perspectives, not just the ones funded and published in rich countries.

Researchers should question assumptions of universal truths and instead study the diverse experiences of marginalized communities. Such an approach uncovers a fuller picture of societal dynamics.

Removing dominance over what counts as “knowledge” can enrich global collaboration, creating sociology that respects all communities.

Examples

• Michael Dodson’s 1997 study exposed dire living conditions among Australia’s aboriginal peoples.
• Eugene Genovese’s Roll, Jordan, Roll shared the lives of enslaved African Americans in depth.
• Scholars can amplify marginalized voices by publishing local histories and oral traditions.

8. Colonialism’s impacts demand recognition in theory.

Colonization’s effects continue to shape societies, but mainstream sociology often overlooks these forces. Sociologists need to recognize this history, as it underpins global inequality.

Colonization created hierarchies that suppressed entire cultures. Ignoring this history perpetuates the colonial mindset. Addressing it opens the door for former colonies to define their modern identities.

This shift could create a more inclusive field of study, where all histories are seen as valuable.

Examples

• Resources were drained from colonies like India, enriching the British metropole at their expense.
• Indigenous languages and knowledge systems were suppressed during colonization.
• Postcolonial scholars, including Edward Said, have highlighted these legacies in academic work.

9. Southern theories challenge Western dominance.

Rather than following Northern frameworks, many in the South propose theories grounded in their lived experiences. This marks a pushback against Western dominance.

These theories often connect closely to the cultures they come from. For example, African and Indian scholars use oral traditions and stories to examine their societies, bringing fresh perspectives to global discourse.

Southern theories spotlight inequality and encourage the world to rethink progress and knowledge in more nuanced ways.

Examples

• Akinsola Akiwowo proposed theories rooted in Africa, like the concept of “asuwada.”
• Subaltern scholars studied Indian peasants’ experiences instead of colonial narratives.
• Latin American sociologists critiqued U.S. cultural imperialism, such as Disney’s portrayal of Third World societies.

Takeaways

1. Read perspectives from the Global South to gain a deeper understanding of diverse societies and histories.
2. Challenge “universal” theories in sociology by asking who created them and for whom they were meant.
3. Support research and scholarship that amplifies the voices of marginalized communities and respects local knowledge systems.