Multiple modernities, nation-building and postcolonialism in Latin American countries: Understanding the case of Brazil (original) (raw)

Modernities are not considered anymore as exclusive from the West. Modernities are everywhere, and this becomes as one of the paradox in the globalized world. Some theorist propose the non -existence of modernity in nowadays contexts as Lyotard does (and most of post-modern authors declare). However, talking about the end of modernity, even as an epoch, means to fall into the fallacy that modernity has remained basically a Western phenomenon. Ideas that sustain that modernity is at its turning point comes not from its imminent death either through the “End of history” (Fukuyama) or the “ Clash of civilizations” (Huntington), but from its global, transcultural, and variegated character. In that sense, globalization may now be characterized by the multiplicity of its modernities, and in this context postcolonialism provides a broader theory that complements and deepest this understanding. Within this framework, the paper aims to reflect about the theory of multiple modernities, bringing also de conceptualization of alternative modernities, pointing out its main features. In addition, it argues the necessity of a broader theory that complements and deepest multiple modernities theory for the analysis of Latin American realities. In that sense, it is explained the importance of postmodern theory for this region, and the main areas covered by postcolonial scholars in to this regard. Finally, the paper explains Brazilian process of construction of its nation based on the ideas of one of the most relevant postcolonial thinkers of this country: Sousa Santos. Facultad Latinoamericana de Ciencias Sociales (FLACSO) Sede Académica Argentina. Global Studies Programme Department: Culture & identity in Latin America "Projects, imaginaries and critiques of Modernity"