Arguing for the idea of connected histories, Gurminder Bhambra presents a fundamental reconstruction of the idea of modernity in contemporary sociology, where modernity's origins are located in Europe. She criticizes the abstraction of European modernity from its colonial context and the way in which non-Western 'others' are regarded as having no contribution to make to understandings of modernity. It aims to establish a dialogue in which 'others' can speak, and also be heard.