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 The Obamas and Mass Media by Stephanie B. Martens
Cover of the book Revisiting the Mexican Student Movement of 1968 by Stephanie B. Martens
Cover of the book Evolving Hamlet by Stephanie B. Martens
Cover of the book Executive Greed by Stephanie B. Martens
Cover of the book Artistic Literacy by Stephanie B. Martens
Cover of the book Goal Pursuit in Education Using Focused Action Research by Stephanie B. Martens
Cover of the book The Economy of Modern Malta by Stephanie B. Martens
Cover of the book Hoarders, Doomsday Preppers, and the Culture of Apocalypse by Stephanie B. Martens
Cover of the book Modern Democracy and the Theological-Political Problem in Spinoza, Rousseau, and Jefferson by Stephanie B. Martens
Cover of the book Politics and Public Space in Contemporary Argentine Poetry by Stephanie B. Martens
Cover of the book Media Literacy and Semiotics by Stephanie B. Martens
Cover of the book The Politics of the American Dream by Stephanie B. Martens
Cover of the book Disability and Religious Diversity by Stephanie B. Martens
Cover of the book Class Struggle by Stephanie B. Martens
Cover of the book When Private Talk Goes Public 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