Literature and the national question

Abstract

This article addresses itself to the question as to why the notion of the nation is being rejected as framework and method of cultural studies in Western Europe, while it has come to serve as a rallying point in cultural activism in South Africa. While acknowledging that international capitalism does not spell the end of the nation (as imperialist and anti­imperialist re-territorialisation), this article questions the simplistic equation of national culture/resistance culture/revolutionary culture which is defined in (negative) correspond­ence to what is conceived of as "dominant culture". The article concludes by citing a warning by Fanon against nationalist myths which extol the hegemony of a neo-colonial bourgeoisie.

Opsomming
Hierdie artikel behandel die vraag waarom die beginsel van die nasie as raamwerk en metode vir kulturele studies in Wes-Europa verwerp word, terwyl dit in Suid-Afrika 'n strategiese punt vir kulturele aktivisme geword het. Met die toegewing dat internasionale kapitalisme nie die einde van die nasie (as imperialistiese en anti-imperialistiese re­territorialisasie) aankondig nie, bevraagteken hierdie artikel die simplistiese gelykstel!ing van nasionale kultuur/weerstandskultuur/revolusion􀀤re kultuur in 'n (negatief ge­definieerde) verhouding tot dit wat as "dominante kultuur" verstaan word. Die artikel kom tot 'n slotsom soos weerspieel in 'n aanhaling van Fanon se waarskuwing teen nasiona­listiese mites wat die hegemonie van 'n neo-koloniale bourgeoisie ophemel.