The limits of postcolonial critique of Marxism

Abstract

Discussions on “decolonization” have become ubiquitous in the South African and global academy. Since the #RhodesMustFall and #FeesMustFall movements burst onto the local political scene in 2015, much ink has been devoted to exploring how South African universities and society may “decolonize”. As a concept, decolonization has always been obstinate and inelegant, inviting multiple interpretations (Kennedy, 2003). In abstract terms, decolonizing could refer to the “cleansing of colonialism” or a quest for self-determination by colonized peoples. Yet these abstract definitions do little to clarify what exactly ought to be cleansed and who – and by what means and to what end – is fighting for self-determination (Sitas, 2017). Decolonization, in other words, requires a theory of colonialism for an understanding of what maintains colonial relations of power, control and domination, a depiction of the various social forces that these give life to, control, influence and animate, and what constitutes the best available means by which the colonial order may be overcome.