Post-colonial History, Subaltern and the (Deficits of) Neo-Hegelian Critical Theorist. On Amy Allen’s Decolonizing Project

The paper takes its cue from Amy Allen’s critique of contemporary German critical theory from the perspective of post- and decolonial studies. It takes up the conceptions of history and progress adopted by Jürgen Habermas and, above all, Axel Honneth in light of the neo-Hegelian strategy of “normative reconstruction.” In doing so, it shows how this vision of the progressive development of “reason” in history establishes a hierarchy of eras and civilizations in favour of European modernity, a hierarchy strongly contested by subaltern studies. Against this background, the leading role played by subaltern groups, as highlighted in particular by Dipesh Chakrabarty, is emphasized. The discussion then shifts to the neo-Hegelian model of immanent critique from the perspective of the relationship between the critical theorist and the subaltern. Here, the paternalism and detachment of the traditional critical theorist are contrasted with the listening of the organic intellectual/critic, a theme addressed by Antonio Gramsci and taken up again in subaltern (and cultural) studies.