South American Claims in Antarctica: Colonial, malgré tout

Event Start Date: October 20, 2021 2:00 PM
Event End Date: October 20, 2021 4:00 PM

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South American Claims in Antarctica: Colonial, malgré tout
Workshop in Latin American Political Theory (WLAPT)
UF Center for Latin American Studies
October 20, 2021 | 2:00 - 4:00 pm ET
Grinter 376 and on Zoom

This event is part of a series of workshops on Latin American Politics. See more information below.

Location: Grinter 376 (seating limited); Zoom (register here)

Speaker: Alejandra Mancilla (University of Oslo)

Comment: Carsten Schulz (Cambridge University)

Abstract:
Argentina and Chile, known in the world of Antarctic politics as the “South American claimants”, have shown themselves since the inception of their interests in the White Continent as standing alone and in opposition to the advances of the colonial powers of the North—especially the United Kingdom. As Shirley Scott has suggested, while the latter were busy staking claims over Antarctica and treating it as terra nullius, the former ascertained what they took to be their historical rights to the continent, inherited from the time when they were Spanish colonies. In this article, I support Argentina’s and Chile’s contention that the attitude and procedure followed by the other claimants to the continent was unequivocally colonial, but I reject their contention that theirs was not. I examine four sites where their colonial spirit is revealed: their use of the geographic doctrines of continuity and contiguity, and of the sector principle; the appeal to historic rights inherited from the time when they were Spanish colonies; their expansion to Antarctica through the establishment of military outposts, and their underlying economic and strategic interests, no different from their “Northern” counterparts. I then point to some specific and general implications of reinterpreting their story in this light. 

About the Workshop in Latin American Political Theory (WLAPT) series

The workshop in Latin American Political Theory (WLAPT) is a space for debate and reflection on Latin American politics through the lens of political theory. WLAPT has four main goals: (1) provide a venue for researchers in Latin American political thought and normative theory focused on the region to present their research results, (2) enhance participants' understanding of Latin American Political Thought and its multiples expressions; (3) encourage undergraduate and graduate students to scrutinize Latin American issues by using the theoretical tools of political theory; and (4) help to create an academic community on the topic. Sessions are hosted in Zoom and eventually in person (or Hyflex).

Coordinated by Cristian Pérez Muñoz

Schedule (Fall 2021)

  • October 20, 2 pm: South American Claims in Antarctica: Colonial, malgré tout
    Alejandra Mancilla (University of Oslo)
    Discussant: Carsten Schulz (Cambridge University)
  • November (Day TBD): Andrés Bello, Immanent Critique, and the Incomplete Independence of American Internationalism
    Joshua Simon (John Hopkins University)
    Comment: (TBD)

Resources

Resources forthcoming