Publication: André Gunder Frank: «Unidad en la Diversidad» del Desarrollo del Subdesarrollo al Sistema Mundo
Authors
Kay, Cristóbal
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Universidad de Murcia, Servicio de Publicaciones
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Description
Abstract
El propósito de este artículo es realizar una revisión crítica de la obra de
André Gunder Frank. Esta no es una tarea fácil dada la prolífica y controvertida naturaleza de su producción científica. Gunder Frank fue tanto un creador de paradigmas
como un rompedor. Es uno de los fundadores intelectuales de la teoría contemporánea
del Sistema Mundo. A él se deben algunas expresiones memorables tales como «desarrollo del subdesarrollo» y «Re-Oriente». De hecho, estos dos conceptos suponen dos
fases diferenciadas de su trayectoria intelectual. Una primera fase está caracterizada por
sus trabajos sobre la teoría de la dependencia y sus primeras aproximaciones para entender la teoría del sistema mundo en líneas generales con los planteamientos de Samir
Amin, Giovanni Arrighi e Immanuel Wallerstein. Una segunda fase se distingue por lo
que Frank considera la interpretación «eurocéntrica» de la teoría del sistema mundo de
Wallerstein, aunque no exclusivamente, así como por una autocrítica de sus trabajos precedentes. Mientras algunos de los análisis y afirmaciones de Frank han demostrado ser
incorrectas, sus obras han sido una inspiración para toda una nueva generación de académicos, intelectuales y activistas, algunos de los cuales proporcionaron la evidencia empírica necesaria y el rigor teórico de las que carecía algunas partes del trabajo de Gunder
Frank. Sin duda este pensador destacó por ofrecer amplias perspectivas estructurales,
formular preguntas inimaginables, y explorar interrelaciones hasta ahora inconcebibles.
The purpose of this article is to critically review the work of Andre Gunder Frank. This is no easy task given the prolific and controversial nature of his life work. His main distinction is as a paradigm breaker and a paradigm maker. Frank is one of the founders of contemporary World system theory. He coined some memorable expressions such as the ‘development of underdevelopment’ and ‘Re-Orient’. Indeed, these two concepts highlight two distinct phases in his work. His first phase is characterised by his writings on dependency theory and his initial understanding of world system theory broadly in line with Amin, Arrighi and Wallerstein. His second phase is distinguished by what he considers to be the ‘Eurocentric’ interpretation of world system theory of Wallerstein and others as well as by his critique of his own earlier work. While some of Frank’s analyses and assertions proved to be wrong, he provided much inspiration to a new generation of scholars and activists, some of whom provided the necessary empirical evidence and theoretical rigour lacking in parts of Frank’s work. But he excelled in his mission of providing the big picture, asking the unimaginable questions and exploring hitherto inconceivable interrelationships.
The purpose of this article is to critically review the work of Andre Gunder Frank. This is no easy task given the prolific and controversial nature of his life work. His main distinction is as a paradigm breaker and a paradigm maker. Frank is one of the founders of contemporary World system theory. He coined some memorable expressions such as the ‘development of underdevelopment’ and ‘Re-Orient’. Indeed, these two concepts highlight two distinct phases in his work. His first phase is characterised by his writings on dependency theory and his initial understanding of world system theory broadly in line with Amin, Arrighi and Wallerstein. His second phase is distinguished by what he considers to be the ‘Eurocentric’ interpretation of world system theory of Wallerstein and others as well as by his critique of his own earlier work. While some of Frank’s analyses and assertions proved to be wrong, he provided much inspiration to a new generation of scholars and activists, some of whom provided the necessary empirical evidence and theoretical rigour lacking in parts of Frank’s work. But he excelled in his mission of providing the big picture, asking the unimaginable questions and exploring hitherto inconceivable interrelationships.
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