The Concept and Origins of Scientific Racism [By Hallan de Oliveira]

 Scientific racism, a concept that gained strength in the 19th century, was based on the distortion of scientific theories, mainly evolutionary ones, to justify racial hierarchy and the domination of certain groups over others. The origins of this distorted thinking lie in a context of scientific and social advances, but also of profound inequalities and the search for justifications for domination.

Anthropology, in its early phase, was one of the fields that contributed most to the rise of scientific racism.

Physical anthropology, focused on anatomical differences between human groups, quickly adopted the concept of "race".

This classification, combined with the discoveries of prehistoric fossils, such as Neanderthal Man, led some to associate certain physical characteristics with proximity to "lower stages" of human evolution.

Cultural anthropology, in turn, proposed that different cultures represented distinct stages in social evolution, culminating in the European "modern civilization".

Edward Burnett Tylor, one of the exponents of this line of thought, argued that humanity progressed from primitive "animism" to monotheistic religions and, finally, to the triumph of science.
These ideas, although defended by some scientists, were not supported by the scientific theories of the time.
The theory of evolution, in its essence, assumed equality among human beings since their emergence as Homo sapiens, subject to the same natural laws, but in different historical contexts.
The distorted popularization of scientific concepts, such as the "survival of the fittest", contributed to the spread of racism.
The idea of ​​"progress" was mistakenly associated with racial superiority, justifying the domination of European countries over other peoples.
Racism served as a way of rationalizing social inequalities in a period marked by the rise of the bourgeoisie and the spread of liberal and egalitarian ideals.
The contradiction between egalitarian ideology and the reality of an unequal society led to the search for justifications for class domination, and racism presented itself as a convenient response.
Science, the main asset of liberalism, was distorted to defend the idea that men were not equal, legitimizing privileges and social hierarchies.
Racism infiltrated several areas of knowledge, influencing the thinking of the time, even though it was not supported by scientific theories.
The belief in the inferiority of certain racial groups was widespread, manifesting itself in the horror of miscegenation and the idea that racial mixing would result in the degeneration of the species.

In short, scientific racism arose from the distortion of scientific concepts to justify racial and social domination. This distorted thinking was based on the racial classification of physical anthropology, the hierarchical interpretation of cultural evolution, and the mistaken application of concepts such as the "survival of the fittest." Despite having no scientific basis, racism permeated 19th century thinking, serving as a way of rationalizing inequalities in a society that was supposed to be egalitarian.

The Cold War and the Rise of the Global South: A Complex Context [Por HALLAN DE OLIVEIRA]

 The Cold War did not give rise to the Global South, but rather created the conditions for its rise and for the questioning of Eurocentrism.

Historical Context:

Rise of Capitalism and Imperialism (1789-1848): The Industrial Revolution and the French Revolution marked the beginning of an era of European expansion and conquest of the rest of the world. The military and economic superiority of the West led to the capitulation of ancient civilizations and empires, establishing unprecedented global dominance.
Napoleonic Wars (1792-1815): The Napoleonic Wars, motivated by economic and ideological rivalries, led to profound transformations in the world map and in the political atmosphere. France, despite its defeat, spread the ideas of the French Revolution, planting seeds of challenge to the Eurocentric world order.
World Wars I and II (1914-1945): The World Wars marked the collapse of Western civilization in the 19th century. The rise of fascism and the subsequent victory of the Allies created a new global scenario, with the USA and the USSR emerging as superpowers. Decolonization gained momentum after the Second World War, driven by national liberation struggles and the change in the world order.

Cold War and the Global South:

Decolonization and the Quest for Autonomy: The Cold War accelerated the process of decolonization, as the USA and the USSR competed for influence in the former colonies. The dispute between the superpowers created room for maneuver for the Third World, allowing countries in the Global South to seek greater autonomy.
Formation of Blocs and Non-Alignment: The Cold War divided the world into ideological blocs, but it also gave rise to the Non-Aligned Movement, which sought a third way, independent of the superpowers. This quest for political and economic autonomy was crucial to the consolidation of the Global South as a relevant political actor. Rise of China: With the end of the Cold War and the rise of China as an economic and political power, the Global South found new opportunities for cooperation and development, distancing itself from Western influence.

End of Eurocentrism:

Challenges to Western Hegemony: The World Wars and the Cold War weakened Western hegemony, opening the way for the rise of other powers and the challenge of the Eurocentric world order. Decolonization, the rise of the Global South and the emergence of new global powers helped redefine power relations and challenge the centrality of Europe.

Crisis of the Western Model: The interwar economic crisis and the rise of fascism exposed the weaknesses of the Western model, opening the way for the search for alternatives. The questioning of liberalism and democracy during the Age of Catastrophe contributed to the demystification of Eurocentrism.

Conclusion:

Although the Cold War did not "give rise" to the Global South, it accelerated the process of decolonization and created conditions for its rise as a global political actor. The dispute between the US and the USSR opened the way for the search for autonomy and for the challenge of the Eurocentric world order. The rise of China on the global stage consolidated this trend, offering new opportunities for cooperation and development for the Global South.