Modernity and "Whiteness"

Bolívar Echeverría was a Latin American philosopher and critical theorist who explored the relationship between capitalism and modernity. He argued that capitalism is a mode of reproduction that involves the commodification of social life and creates a new form of identity called blanquitud. He also explored the baroque as a characteristic of Latin American identity as a way of theatricalizing and transforming reality. Echeverría's analysis is a significant contribution to critical theory from a Latin American perspective and is of interest to students and scholars of critical theory, postcolonial theory, and anyone concerned with the global impact of capitalism.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 240 pages
Publication date: 06 September 2019
Publisher: Polity Press

Bolívar Echeverría, a prominent philosopher and critical theorist in Latin America, delves into the intricate relationship between capitalism and modernity, offering a unique and insightful perspective informed by the experiences of Latin American societies. Echeverría distinguishes between capitalism and modernity, recognizing that the latter is a long-term historical phenomenon characterized by new relations between human beings, nature, and the collective. On the other hand, capitalism is a specific manifestation of modernity, characterized by the commodification of social life and the growing dominance of capital. Echeverría introduces the concept of "blanquitud" to describe the new identity that emerges under the totalizing and homogenizing forces of capitalism. While blanquitud encompasses certain ethnic features, it is more than an ethnic category; it refers to an ethical and cultural type of human being, homo capitalisticus, which poses a global threat to diverse identities. However, Echeverría acknowledges that capitalism is not the sole form of modernity. He explores alternative modernities, such as the baroque, as a distinctive aspect of Latin American identity that offers a means of theatricalizing and transforming reality, distancing itself from Eurocentric paradigms and resisting the homogenizing forces of capitalism. Echeverría's analysis of the dynamics of capitalism and modernity is a significant contribution to critical theory from a Latin American perspective. His work challenges traditional Western narratives and provides a fresh perspective on the social and historical forces shaping the modern world. By examining the interplay between capitalism, modernity, and alternative identities, Echeverría offers valuable insights into the complex and multifaceted nature of our contemporary world.

Weight: 314g
Dimension: 137 x 216 x 15 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781509533619