Rethinking de-colonial dualism

Abstract

‘Rethinking de-colonial dualism’ proposes a partial criticism to Grosfoguel’s decolonial project from two different perspectives: the first one has taken globalization studies and Arjun Appadurai’s ‘scapes theory’ as a starting point to reshape the understanding of the complexities and interconnections through which modernity and globalization have evolved. Taking this complexity as keystone to deconstruct the decolonial replica of the North/South confrontative dualism, the text introduces the critique to Appadurai proposal underlining the lack of political activism and historical reflexion, particularly in relation to the structures integrated in power and privilege. In the text I argue that it is only by adopting the radical emancipatory approach taken by Grosfoguel on the one hand, and Appadurai’s complexity on the other, that a more realistic and holistic approach to context-specific research and action can be achieved. In the second part of the text ‘Rethinking de-colonial dualism’ I transit from theory to practice through Farah Ahmed application of the Islamic Research Method and the implementation of Halaqah as a decolonial research method. Ahmed proposal is taken as a practical example, understanding the decolonial project as an exercise that, taking into account the proposals of both Grosfoguel and Appadurai, insists in an approximation to methodology based on dialogue to overcome dual confrontation.