TITLE:
Beyond Decoloniality: Toward a Framework of Global Equity
AUTHORS:
Isabelle Munyangaju
KEYWORDS:
Decoloniality, Decolonization, Global Equity, Global South, Global North
JOURNAL NAME:
Advances in Applied Sociology,
Vol.14 No.12,
December
9,
2024
ABSTRACT: Background: The concept of decoloniality has gained prominence in academic and socio-political discourse, addressing issues of global power imbalances and persistent inequities. While decoloniality is essential for understanding structural inequalities, its discussion often leads to confusion, defensiveness, and moral discomfort, especially when viewed through a binary framework of victims and perpetrators. This binary framing tends to overlook the nuanced interplay of human agency and historical contexts. Aim: This study explores decoloniality as a means to challenge and dismantle colonial legacies embedded in knowledge, governance, and socio-economic structures. The aim is to move beyond simplistic dichotomies and foster global equity through mutual respect, indigenous perspective inclusion, and cooperative frameworks. Methods: A narrative review was conducted to examine literature and theoretical frameworks surrounding decoloniality, focusing on the implications of reframing the Global North-South relationship. The study emphasizes an adaptive, participatory process of “re-visioning,” encouraging the development of equitable frameworks rather than attempting to reset or undo the past. Discussion: Decoloniality calls for a shift away from Eurocentric dominance toward the validation of indigenous perspectives. Progress requires confronting the core beliefs that uphold systemic hierarchies: the Global North must move beyond entrenched superiority, while the Global South should cultivate self-sufficiency and affirm marginalized knowledge systems. “Re-visioning” encourages reshaping perspectives collectively rather than through prescriptive approaches. Focusing on an adaptive, participatory process for evolving identity and theory, rooted in collective insight rather than top-down constructs. Conclusion: To reach beyond academia, embracing “global equity” as a guiding concept emphasizes shared global progress and equal partnerships among nations. By building on mutual acknowledgment of historical experiences, this approach aims to foster a just, interconnected future rooted in shared humanity and collective growth.