
Imperialism and Human Rights
Colonial Discourses of Rights and Liberties in African History
- 242 pages
- English
- PDF
- Available on iOS & Android
Imperialism and Human Rights
Colonial Discourses of Rights and Liberties in African History
About this book
Looks at the language of rights used by diverse interest groups in British-colonized Nigeria.
2007 CHOICE Outstanding Academic Title
In this seminal study, Bonny Ibhawoh investigates the links between European imperialism and human rights discourses in African history. Using British-colonized Nigeria as a case study, he examines how diverse interest groups within colonial society deployed the language of rights and liberties to serve varied socioeconomic and political ends. Ibhawoh challenges the linear progressivism that dominates human rights scholarship by arguing that, in the colonial African context, rights discourses were not simple monolithic or progressive narratives. They served both to insulate and legitimize power just as much as they facilitated transformative processes. Drawing extensively on archival material, this book shows how the language of rights, like that of "civilization" and "modernity, " became an important part of the discourses deployed to rationalize and legitimize empire.
Frequently asked questions
- Essential is ideal for learners and professionals who enjoy exploring a wide range of subjects. Access the Essential Library with 800,000+ trusted titles and best-sellers across business, personal growth, and the humanities. Includes unlimited reading time and Standard Read Aloud voice.
- Complete: Perfect for advanced learners and researchers needing full, unrestricted access. Unlock 1.4M+ books across hundreds of subjects, including academic and specialized titles. The Complete Plan also includes advanced features like Premium Read Aloud and Research Assistant.
Please note we cannot support devices running on iOS 13 and Android 7 or earlier. Learn more about using the app.
Information
Table of contents
- IMPERIALISM AND HUMAN RIGHTS
- Contents
- Illustrations
- Foreword
- Acknowledgments
- Abbreviations
- 1. The Subject of Rights and the Rights of Subjects
- 2. Right, Liberties, and the Imperial World Order
- 3. Stronger than the Maxim Gun: Law, Rights, and Justice
- 4. Confronting State Trusteeship: Land Rights Discourses
- 5. Negotiating Inclusion: Social Rights Discourses
- 6. Citizens of the World’s Republic: Political and Civil Rights Discourses
- 7. The Paradox of Rights Talk
- Notes
- Bibliography
- Index