The Peruvian scholar, Anibal Quijanio’s concept of “coloniality of power” is of great relevance to the relationship between Western academia and the Third World. Coloniality of power refers to the continuation of colonial forms of power relations between the West and the Rest after formal independence. Edward Burrowes letter to the editor (SN, 3/14/2024) is adequate proof of Quijano’s contention. Further Burrowes brings to mind Edward Said’s contention that cultural imperialism is always assisted by local collaborators.
Burrowes draws on a report by European organization that goes by the name V-Dem, according to whom Guyana is not a full democracy. Those of us who live here know that Guyana’s democracy is as democratic as any European or North American country. Our voting laws and verification mechanisms are stricter than any Western country. On the socio-economic side of things, Guyana has a fully articulated set of programs on human development.
The real problem is that many organizations in the West have arrogated to themselves the right to exercise epistemological power over weaker nations. The only reason for this is that they can do it. Most of these organizations are staffed by third rate academics, those who failed to get real academic jobs. Most of these outfits have some top ranked scholars at the top for credibility and branding. The dirty work, however, is done by PhDs that were either refused tenure, or never hired in an academic position in the first place.
People like Burrowes are the customers and client of these knowledge hucksters. These neocolonial continue to investigate, assess, and report on the Third World. Most reports set the basis for Western discipline either through direct or covert intervention. For those who have managed to decolonize themselves, it is painful to watch this abuse. Guyana is a full democracy and we do not need affirmation from an obscure organization in Europe to tell us how things are.