Kaupapa Maori Theory Discussion 2022

Running Head: CRITICAL THEORY
CRITICAL THEORY
Name of the Student
Name of the University
Author Note

CRITICAL THEORY1
Introduction
Critical theory is an approach, developed to look into the social and cultural aspect
of the society based on history, literature, culture philosophy and ideological forces.
Critical theories do not specifically follow a definite school of thought but focusses on the
vital social issues pertaining to the present times with a thoughtful demand asking for a social
change.
Discussion
The ‘Kaupapa Maori Theory’ has its roots in Aotearoa, depicting the Maori
ideology — a doctrine in philosophy that incorporates the knowledge, values, skills and
attitudes of the Maori society. In contrast to this, the critical theory has its basis in Europe’s
Frankfurt School, developed in the 1930s (123helpme.com, 2019). Despite these distances
of hundreds of miles and years that separate the two, they feature significant similarities
with each other. The Kaupapa Maori theory and the critical theory are two different
methodological and theoretical frameworks, which contributes towards the agenda of
indigenous development. The Kaupapa Maori theory is majorly a part of the broader scenario
of fight against colonization.
There are majorly four different types of critical theories in literature. These
include the gender theory, race theory, psychoanalytical theory and post-colonial theory.
Critical theories enable a person to form an insightful, meaningful observation and thereby
draw a conclusion, based on effective rationale. While Formalism and New Criticism are
examples of aesthetic criticisms that examines a literary text based on its inherent qualities
and self-contained works, Feminism, New Historicism and Psychoanalytical theories
represent cultural works of exposing and challenging ideologies. The latter studies the
minorities and the marginalized in the context of history and its influences. Besides these,