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UCD - A Defence of the GA SRO.pdf (1.51 MB)

Uneven and combined development: a defense of the general abstraction

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journal contribution
posted on 2023-06-09, 21:49 authored by Justin Rosenberg
This article responds to criticisms of the current revival of Uneven and Combined Development (UCD), particularly those aimed at the idea of a ‘general abstraction’ of UCD. Three main charges have been pressed: that UCD is not a real theory; that its transhistorical extension has reduced it to an unhistorical reification; and that its language of ‘advanced’ and ‘backward’ betrays its enduring Eurocentric foundations. The article argues not only that UCD can be defended, but also that it is the general abstraction which enables UCD to make its strongest contributions to solving problems of theoretical insufficiency, ahistoricism and Eurocentrism in social thought more generally. Finally the article ends by speculating on the reason why the much-maligned general abstraction of UCD should turn out to be of such significance.

History

Publication status

  • Published

File Version

  • Accepted version

Journal

Cambridge Review of International Affairs

ISSN

0955-7571

Publisher

Taylor & Francis

Page range

1-24

Department affiliated with

  • International Relations Publications

Full text available

  • Yes

Peer reviewed?

  • Yes

Legacy Posted Date

2020-10-08

First Open Access (FOA) Date

2022-05-03

First Compliant Deposit (FCD) Date

2020-10-07

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