Postcolonial Theory and the Specter of Capital
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| Author | Vivek Chibber |
|---|---|
| Language | English |
| Subject | Postcolonialism |
| Genre | Sociology |
| Publisher | Verso[1] |
Publication date | March 12th 2013 |
| Media type | Print (Hardcover, Paperback) |
| Pages | 256 |
| ISBN | 9781844679768 [2] |
Postcolonial Theory and the Specter of Capital is a 2013 book by the Indian sociologist and New York University professor Vivek Chibber.
Coming from the radical Enlightenment tradition, this book is a critique of Postcolonial Theory.
Chibber focuses on the Subaltern Studies section of the theory, and demonstrates how its foundational arguments are based on a series of political and historical misunderstandings.[1]
The book received positive reviews from American linguist Noam Chomsky and Slovenian philosopher Slavoj Zizek. It also received a critical response from Indian postcolonial theorist Gayatri Spivak in Cambridge Review of International Affairs to which Chibber replied in the same journal.[3][4]
Content[edit]
In his critique of postcolonial theory, Chibber argues that postcolonial theory characterizes all Enlightenment ideas as Eurocentric.[5]
Reception[edit]
Noam Chomsky termed it a "scrupulous and perceptive analysis", and "a very significant contribution." According to him, Chibber has succeeded in showing that "universalizing categories of Enlightenment thought" emerge unscathed from postcolonial criticism.[1]
Slavoj Zizek also gave it a strong positive review, calling it "the book we were all waiting for." According to Zizek, "this book simply sets the record straight, and puts postcolonialism into its place: at the heart of global Capitalist processes."[1]
According to historian Robert Brenner, "Vivek Chibber has written a stunning critique of postcolonial theory as represented by the Subaltern Studies school."[1]
American quarterly magazine Jacobin called it a "strong case for why we can—and must—conceptualize the non-Western world through the same analytical lens that we use to understand developments in the West."[1]
In its review, Los Angeles Review of Books wrote "Chibber does a good and important job criticizing some of the fundaments of Subaltern Studies. Postcolonial Theory is a book that should be read by all engaging with postcolonial theory".[6]
See also[edit]
References[edit]
- ^ a b c d e f "Verso Reviews". Verso.
- ^ "Goodreads.com".
- ^ Spivak, Gayatri Chakravorty (2014). "Postcolonial theory and the specter of capital". Cambridge Review of International Affairs. 27 (1): 184–198. doi:10.1080/09557571.2014.877262. S2CID 144906790.
- ^ Chibber, Vivek (2014). "Making sense of postcolonial theory: a response to Gayatri Chakravorty Spivak". Cambridge Review of International Affairs. 27 (3): 617–624. doi:10.1080/09557571.2014.943593. S2CID 5659397.
- ^ Warren, Rosie, ed. (2017). Debate on postcolonial theory and the specter of capital. London New York: Verso. ISBN 978-1-78478-695-3.
- ^ "Obscuring Capitalism: Vivek Chibber's Critique of Subaltern Studies". lareviewofbooks. 6 November 2013.