Territory and decolonisation: debates from the Global Souths

Abstract

ABSTRACT This extended introduction to a volume on territory and decolonisation from the Global Souths highlights a series of tensions that arose in its production and discusses possible strategies for further developing dialogue on the theme. Specifically, it looks at the centrality of Latin America – as an idea, experience and epistemology – from which debates on the intersection of territory and decolonisation have been framed. The seeming hegemony of certain lines of Latin American critical geography could present a challenge to decolonial imperatives. In response, this introduction is framed around two discussions. First, this article considers a resurgence of interest in Area Studies and relational conjunctural analysis in Anglophone geographies, and suggests the latter may provide a fruitful intersection with decolonising tendencies. Second, it discusses recent feminist debates on body-territory as a travelling idea and practice that has the potential to articulate across different geographical realities. In making these humble contributions to existing debates, the introduction also reflects on the significance of positionality and highlights tensions between the authors as a means of exemplifying strategies of epistemic dialogue that may (or may not) provide ground for decolonial discussions on territory.