A Deterritorialized History: Investigating German Colonialism ...

authors’ work indicate that Deleuze and Guattari’s theory is another way that space can
be opened which is tolerant of difference without totalizing the diversity of elements
present.
Deleuze and Guattari’s perspective parallels, but also moves beyond, the
approaches to historical writing taken by many authors in postcolonial studies. The
authors facilitate a more nuanced understanding of the complexities of power relations
within the relationship between colonizer and colonized. Their theory can also apply to
multiple manifestations of colonial power, in realms as diverse as economics, politics,
society and culture. Additionally, Deleuze and Guattari examine broader sweeps of
history and can consequently introduce a more diachronic discussion to colonial studies.
Finally, the authors’ theories of schizoanalysis, rhizomatics, nomadology, and
deterritorialization provide a vast array of strategies for the study of the relations within
colonialism.
Though not without its problems, Deleuze and Guattari’s application of
poststructuralism to cross-cultural relations indicates some ways of escaping the traps of
nominalism, totalization, relativism, and determinism in history and consequently
represents an innovative way to examine human interaction. 76 The authors’ formulation
also brings an expanded awareness of difference to history that is frequently not evident
in older histories; through this, as Noyes, Said, Paul Patton and John Protevi indicate,
deterritorialization can supply new points of view for investigation of colonialism. 77
Even with regard to newer histories, Deleuze and Guattari’s theory brings an awareness
of heterogeneity, broad representation and power that is not often evident in holistic
frameworks. Therefore, Deleuze and Guattari’s ideas illustrate possible resolutions to the
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