Re-thinking emancipation in “Latin America” and the de-colonial project
Channel: EADI
Date: 2018-10-30

The “idea” of Latin American is the result of a historical process that involves a terrible vicious cycle of binaries, understood from the sphere of Western, Eurocentric and hegemonic power. The need for differentiation was vital to make clear the relations of power.  In this sense, emancipation is just the tool presented by the “colonizer” or “ruler” as the option to recognized power. The demand, fight or struggle for the idea of “independence” or “emancipation” brings with it the so called “post-colonial” era and the creation of the nation-state. Nevertheless emancipation cannot come from the inside. It must be given and recognized, which means that in this process there is still control.

After more than 150 years of the independence or emancipation narrative it is necessary to start re-thinking: what does emancipation really mean?

Juan Fernando Larco Guevara studied International Relations and Diplomacy at the Universidad Internacional del Ecuador, as well as Political Science. He is currently a candidate in the master in global studies taught by the University of Freiburg, Germany.



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