I am doing research for a Classical Theory course and was hoping someone could help me and suggest any social theorists who were writing from the 18 to 1900's from developing countries. Africa, India, South America any places such as these.

My goal is to bring the works and perspectives of sociologists we as students typically don't get exposed to in sociology courses.

Any help is greatly appreciated!

Hi Thadam,

In my view, it's a good idea include classical sociologists from non-western, developing countries in such a course discussion. The only problem in doing so is that I don't think there are so many, if anyone at all. As far as I know, sociology as a discipline in itself pretty much emerged out of the Western thought tradition which we normally associate with the sociological classics (Marx, Durkheim, Weber, Simmel and so on). Before that, I guess most societal thinking was within the fields of philosophy, politics and religion - and, a bit later on, anthropology.

This is just my guess though - I am by no means an expert on this topic. There might be classical sociologists from developing countries - I just never really heard about them (which just emphasizes your point about works and perspectives of sociologists we as students typically don't get exposed to in sociology courses).

Perhaps someone else knows about this?

Best regards
Lars

A few theorists comes to mind. First Franz Fanon, French-Algerian militant theorist. From India there is Homi K. Bhaba, but he is of newer date. Perhaps you should look into some of the post-colonial theory, and see what is references are.
From Japan there is Yasunosuke Gonda.

/Peter