The Americas in Early Modern Political Theory

States of Nature and Aboriginality

Nonfiction, Social & Cultural Studies, Political Science, Politics, History & Theory, Government
Cover of the book The Americas in Early Modern Political Theory by Stephanie B. Martens, Palgrave Macmillan US
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: Stephanie B. Martens ISBN: 9781137519993
Publisher: Palgrave Macmillan US Publication: May 31, 2016
Imprint: Palgrave Macmillan Language: English
Author: Stephanie B. Martens
ISBN: 9781137519993
Publisher: Palgrave Macmillan US
Publication: May 31, 2016
Imprint: Palgrave Macmillan
Language: English

This book examines early modern social contract theories within European representations of the Americas in the 16th and 17th century.  Despite addressing the Americas only marginally, social contract theories transformed American social imaginaries prevalent at the time into Aboriginality, allowing for the emergence of the idea of civilization and the possibility for diverse discourses of Aboriginalism leading to excluding and discriminatory forms of subjectivity, citizenship, and politics.  What appears then is a form of Aboriginalism pitting the American/Aboriginal other against the nascent idea of civilization.  The legacy of this political construction of difference is essential to contemporary politics in settler societies.  The author shows the intellectual processes behind this assignation and its role in modern political theory, still bearing consequences today.  The way one conceives of citizenship and sovereignty underlies some of the difficulties settler societies have in accommodating Indigenous claims for recognition and self-government.

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

This book examines early modern social contract theories within European representations of the Americas in the 16th and 17th century.  Despite addressing the Americas only marginally, social contract theories transformed American social imaginaries prevalent at the time into Aboriginality, allowing for the emergence of the idea of civilization and the possibility for diverse discourses of Aboriginalism leading to excluding and discriminatory forms of subjectivity, citizenship, and politics.  What appears then is a form of Aboriginalism pitting the American/Aboriginal other against the nascent idea of civilization.  The legacy of this political construction of difference is essential to contemporary politics in settler societies.  The author shows the intellectual processes behind this assignation and its role in modern political theory, still bearing consequences today.  The way one conceives of citizenship and sovereignty underlies some of the difficulties settler societies have in accommodating Indigenous claims for recognition and self-government.

More books from Palgrave Macmillan US

Cover of the book Education and Global Cultural Dialogue by Stephanie B. Martens
Cover of the book The Politics of Custom in Eighteenth-Century British Fiction by Stephanie B. Martens
Cover of the book Economic Instruments of Security Policy by Stephanie B. Martens
Cover of the book Assessing Dynamics of Democratisation by Stephanie B. Martens
Cover of the book Financial Institutions and Markets by Stephanie B. Martens
Cover of the book Christodemocracy and the Alternative Democratic Theory of America’s Christian Right by Stephanie B. Martens
Cover of the book The Novel-Essay, 1884-1947 by Stephanie B. Martens
Cover of the book The Paradox of Authenticity in a Globalized World by Stephanie B. Martens
Cover of the book Gender and Violence in British India by Stephanie B. Martens
Cover of the book Political Resurrection in the Twentieth Century by Stephanie B. Martens
Cover of the book We’re Losing Our Minds by Stephanie B. Martens
Cover of the book The Social Life of Literature in Revolutionary Cuba by Stephanie B. Martens
Cover of the book The Economics of Centralism and Local Autonomy by Stephanie B. Martens
Cover of the book Modern Architecture in Theatre by Stephanie B. Martens
Cover of the book Prisoners of Rhodesia by Stephanie B. Martens
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy