The relationship between the colonial and the class structures: a critique of A.G. Frank’s theory of the development of underdevelopment

Abstract

The relationship between the colonial and the class structures theory of the development of underdevelopment whether the contradiction between imperialism and oppressed nations or that between the imperialist beourgeoisies and the proletariats of their own countries is the principal contradiction of imperialism (in the sense that its existence development influence the existence and development of the other contradictions more than they are influenced by them) is a much debated question. The answer depends of course on which period in the history of imperialism we consider and the question cannot be settled but with a clear understanding of the principles of dialectical materialism and a thorough analysis of the historical experience of national liberation movements and of the class struggle in imperialist countries.