Abstract

A comparison of Jürgen Habermas’ and Boaventura de Sousa Santos’ approach to colonialism and their relevance for framing a pathway towards sustainability. Through a longitudinal study of reactions to modernization and epistemicide it is concluded that whereas Habermas’ theory of colonization is limited by a Eurocentric methodological and ontological framework, Santos does not fully follow the potential of his own framework for understanding how hierarchies of knowledge and power are core elements in ongoing processes of colonization. By comparing and applying respectively a Habermasian and Santos framework to situations of colonization, it is concluded that Habermas’ theory of colonization is relevant for understanding the institutional mechanisms at play, whereas Santos’ framework is aimed at identifying ways of breaking free from Eurocentric modernity.