South–South Theoretical Dialogues: The Tanzanian Experience (1974–76) in Milton Santos’ Spatial Theory

Abstract

The Brazilian geographer Milton Santos is known for his sophisticated theorisation of geographical space. Less well known, however, is the role that Milton Santos’ experience at the University of Dar-es-Salaam (from 1974 to 1976) played in his work. Structured by Julius Nyerere as the core for the development of an independent and socialist Tanzania, the Dar-es-Salaam School hosted several Marxist intellectuals such as Walter Rodney, Issa Shivji, and David Slater, as well as Milton Santos. This paper seeks to unpack Santos’ Tanzanian experience through literature review and research in his archives at the Institute of Brazilian Studies, University of São Paulo (Brazil). The idea is also to discuss the extent to which the discussions of the Dar-es-Salaam School influenced his conceptual framework, including one of his later definitions of geographical space.