A Deterritorialized History: Investigating German Colonialism ...

Chapter 1
Although Gilles Deleuze and Félix Guattari do not discuss colonialism at length,
this study believes that their ideas can shed light upon colonial expansion for several
reasons. Deleuze and Guattari’s theories, especially the processes of deterritorialization
and reterritorialization (hereafter referred to as deterritorialization), present a novel
perspective on the motivations of individuals within the colonial system. 1 Additionally,
the authors’ ideas minimize some of the problems evident in previous histories of
colonialism. However, their theories also present their own unique difficulties, which
will shape the application of their notions to this analysis. The discussion of the
relevance of their ideas to German colonial expansion begins with the authors’
philosophy. The concept of deterritorialization will then be examined and related to
significant themes in colonialism such as territory, society, state, capitalism, empire, and
history. Finally, Deleuze and Guattari’s theories will be related to trends in world history
and colonial studies.
The two authors’ philosophy is eclectic and wide-ranging in its inspiration. 2
Deleuze’s writing is coloured by the thought of Hume, Spinoza, Kant, and Bergson. But
his major ideas descend from Marx’s economics, Freud’s psychoanalysis, Foucault’s
philosophy, and Nietzsche’s visions of power and plurality. 3 Guattari’s influences can be
more easily explained by his background in Lacanian psychoanalysis and his “Freudo-
Marxism.” 4 It is this voluminous knowledge that facilitates the broad applicability of
Deleuze and Guattari’s theories to philosophy, psychology, political science, cultural
studies, anthropology, sociology, economics and history. But their thought is not solely
22