Assessing a Proposal for Updating the Marxist Theory of Dependency

• Author: Jaime Osorio
• Published date: 01 January 2022
• Date: 01 January 2022
• DOI: 10.1177/0094582X211047906
• Subject Matter: Articles: Contemporary Theoretical Debates

https://doi.org/10.1177/0094582X211047906

LATIN AMERICAN PERSPECTIVES, Issue 242, Vol. 49 No. 1, January 2022, 153–165

DOI: 10.1177/0094582X211047906

© 2021 Latin American Perspectives

153

Assessing a Proposal for Updating the Marxist

Theory of Dependency

by

Jaime Osorio

Translated by

Mariana Ortega-Breña

A recent proposal for updating of the Marxist theory of dependency requires abandon-

ing the categories of superexploitation and unequal exchange and the theory of dependent

capitalism. Examination of the limitations of this proposal highlights the misconceptions

regarding these categories and the importance of recognizing dependent capitalism as a

form of capitalism for an understanding of the state of the revolution in Latin America and

the exceptional conditions that have made it possible for some economies to overcome

underdevelopment.

Una propuesta reciente de renovación de la teoría marxista de la dependencia reclama

abandonar las categorías superexplotación e intercambio desigual y la de capitalismo

dependiente. Un examen de las limitaciones de esta propuesta destaca a los errores en la

comprensión de esas categorías así como la relevancia de capitalismo dependiente como

una forma de capitalismo para comprender la actualidad de la revolución en América

Latina y las condiciones de excepción que han hecho posible superar el subdesarrollo por

algunas economías.

Keywords: Superexploitation, Unequal exchange, Dependent capitalism, Forms of cap-

italism, State of the revolution

No one should oppose a priori an updating of Marxism or, in particular,

Marxist dependency theory. Such a stance is akin to dogmatism and religious

belief. At the same time, an update that seeks to dilute its axiomatic founda-

tions is a dangerous proposition, the more so if the proponent suggests that this

is being done from within its core. This paper addresses the 2016–2018 (a; b; c;

d) writings of Claudio Katz on the background of dependency theories.1

Beyond its many interesting aspects, this work eagerly seeks to distance itself

from the core categories and viewpoints of the Marxist theory of dependency

under the banner of a theoretical revision, in particular with regard to the con-

cepts of superexploitation, dependent capitalism, and unequal exchange.2 I will

Jaime Osorio is a professor and researcher in the Department of Social Relations of the Universidad

Autónoma Metropolitana, Xochimilco, and also teaches in the Graduate School of Latin American

Studies of the the Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México. His books include Fundamentos del

análisis social: La realidad social y su conocimiento (2001), Crítica de la economía vulgar: Reproducción del

capital y dependencia (2004), Estado, biopoder, exclusión: Análisis desde la lógica del capital (2012), and

Sistema mundial, intercambio desigual y renta de la tierra (2017). Mariana Ortega-Breña is a translator

based in Mexico City.

1047906LAPXXX10.1177/0094582X211047906Latin American PerspectivesOsorio / ASSESSING A PROPOSED UPDATE OF DEPENDENCY THEORY

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