Pateman, J. (2022) The centrality of Africa in Lenin’s theory of imperialism. Review of African Political Economy, 49 (172). pp. 287-302. ISSN 0305-6244
Abstract
Lenin’s Marxist theories have aided both African anti-imperialist struggles and the study of African political economy. Recently, however, some scholars have reinvigorated the postcolonial critique of Marxism as a Eurocentric doctrine, one that misunderstands and marginalises Africa and its peoples. Following Cedric Robinson, several analysts mention Lenin alongside Marx and Engels as a founder of Eurocentric Marxism. This article, by contrast, argues that Lenin displayed a deep concern for Africa, one that was fundamentally non-Eurocentric. Lenin researched Africa extensively in his Notebooks on imperialism. Upon the basis of this research, Lenin placed Africa at the centre of his analysis in Imperialism: the highest stage of capitalism. It is impossible to understand the insights of Lenin’s theory of imperialism without appreciating Africa’s centrality within it. Although Lenin displayed the racist views of Africa that dominated his era, these were marginal in his thought. Lenin militantly opposed colonialism and supported African independence.
Metadata
Item Type: | Article |
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Authors/Creators: |
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Copyright, Publisher and Additional Information: | © 2022 ROAPE Publications Ltd. This is an author-produced version of a paper subsequently published in Review of African Political Economy. Uploaded in accordance with the publisher's self-archiving policy. |
Keywords: | Lenin; Africa; imperialism; Eurocentrism; racism; Marxism |
Dates: |
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Institution: | The University of Sheffield |
Academic Units: | The University of Sheffield > Faculty of Social Sciences (Sheffield) > Department of Politics and International Relations (Sheffield) |
Depositing User: | Symplectic Sheffield |
Date Deposited: | 18 Mar 2022 14:40 |
Last Modified: | 24 Jul 2023 00:13 |
Status: | Published |
Publisher: | Informa UK Limited |
Refereed: | Yes |
Identification Number: | 10.1080/03056244.2022.2026765 |
Related URLs: | |
Open Archives Initiative ID (OAI ID): | oai:eprints.whiterose.ac.uk:184894 |