The Social Science of the Citizen Society - Volume 1 - Critique of the Globalization and Decolonization of the Social Sciences

The social sciences and humanities are discovering the necessity to self-critically reshape their theorizing, with the first critique calling for globalizing and the second for de-colonizing social thought. Michael Kuhn's book discusses why and how the globalization of social science theorizing introduces thinking through nation-state perspectives, how the de-colonialization of social science theorizing with the critique of Eurocentrism and its thinking through space paves the way for the worldwide implementation of thinking through nation-state views, how the indigenization of thought produces contributions to the ideological armament of the new states in the so-called 3rd world, how these indigenized theories make discourses among de-colonized theories a matter of which provincialized theory manages to rule the worldwide creation of theories, how the masterminds of globally de-colonized thinking present imperial thought as guiding theories for mankind's thinking, what templates for the turn from anti-capitalist towards nationalistic thinking Historical Materialism has provided, and what consequences all this has for the social sciences as a voice in political debates about the world.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 232 pages
Publication date: 15 March 2022
Publisher: ibidem-Verlag, Jessica Haunschild u Christian Schon

The social sciences and humanities across the globe are increasingly recognizing the urgent need to undergo a self-critical reorientation of their theorizing. This transformative process involves two distinct critiques: the first advocates for the globalizing of social science theories, while the second calls for the de-colonization of social thought. In his highly relevant book, Michael Kuhn delves into the compelling reasons and mechanisms behind the globalization of social science theorizing, highlighting the importance of incorporating perspectives from nation-states as a contemporary methodological requirement. Furthermore, he explores how the de-colonialization of social science theorizing, driven by the critique of Eurocentrism and its spatial thinking, paves the way for the widespread adoption of nation-state viewpoints, transforming the social science world into a diverse array of provincialized theories. Kuhn also examines the peculiar arguments that arise from the indigenization of thought, specifically in the context of the newly established states in the so-called "3rd world" following their transition into the very society system previously imposed by colonizers. He sheds light on how these indigenized theories contribute to the ideological armament of these states, shaping their discourses and ultimately influencing the global creation of theories. Kuhn further explores the dynamics between de-colonized theories and their struggle for dominance in the realm of theory-making. He uncovers the strategies employed by the masterminds of globally de-colonized thinking to present imperial thought as the guiding framework for human thought. He also provides valuable insights into the historical materialism framework, which has offered templates for the shift from anti-capitalist to nationalistic thinking. Finally, Kuhn examines the profound consequences of these developments for the social sciences as a voice in political debates about the world.

Weight: 288g
Dimension: 149 x 211 x 19 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9783838215754