On academic colonialism: the case of US-Latin American Studies

Samenvatting

Academic 'colonialism' in US-Latin American studies encompasses 4 aspects: (1) researcher claims to unlimited data access, (2) viewing the research site as data provider with data development occurring outside the site, (3) fostering of a 'brain drain' or 'elitism' of local scholars coached in 'western' theories and methodology, and (4) data accumulation of facts, relevant to the indigenous site, outside the country for potential misuse by extranational forces. The US scholar response to 'academic colonialism' claims has been cool, centering on the imposition of limits to researchers rather than on ethical questions, noting the politically nonscientific irrelevance of response by indigenous groups, and the technically solvable answers to problems. Concern in some US academic circles is prompting strategies based on local participation in planning, data gathering, processing, and analysis, with results published in the local language as well as the language of original research. US organizations view this problem from an ideological harmony--not conflict--perspective, technically solvable, and myopically related to US interests without attendant empathetic understanding of the indigenous position. Recommendations for sponsoring organizations to alleviate the present local suspicion of US research include: (a) contact with local scholars on the relevance and adaptability of planned research to the local situation, (b) seeking advisory contacts with senior fellows with previous experience in the area, (c) checking research reputations before accepting study proposals of scholars, (d) the development of adequate language ability prior to research, (e) visits to the proposed site before beginning study, (f) rigorous supervision of scholars-in-training, (g) investigation of scholarly responsibility to the local situation, and (h) encouragement of local and joint research data banks. The existence of 'colonialistic' feelings in research is related to other spheres of US-Latin American relationships. T. Babitsky.