The International Politics of Race
1. Edition October 2002
240 Pages, Hardcover
Wiley & Sons Ltd
In this important and timely new book, Michael Banton examines
the international politics of racial discrimination and racism. The
book recounts key events in the international politics of race
during the past few decades. It discusses the difficulties in
defining race and racism, provides case studies of international
initiatives and national measures against discrimination, and
reviews the 2001 World Conference Against Racism.
The idea that humans naturally belong in races derives from a
scientific error, but it is not easily dispelled from popular
thought. By relying on this conception of racism, the international
antiracist movement continually recycles the very idea of race that
it condemns. In its place, the adoption of an international
perspective should inspire a powerful critique of the language of
race as used in the English-speaking world. The new language of
human rights reformulates the issues in ways that should appeal to
everyone.
Michael Banton's writings over many years have included
classical studies of race and ethnicity and have made him one of
the best-known and respected sociologists of race. This book will
be a key text for students of the politics and sociology of race,
international relations and anti-discrimination law. It is written
in a style that will also appeal to the general reader.
Chapter 1: Race as Species.
A two-dimensional concept - Racial typology - Selectionism - Popular usage in English - The tangled web.
Chapter 2. UNESCO.
Scientific facts - Science and politics - Present problems.
Chapter 3 The UN General Assembly.
Treaties - The noble lie - The legal instrument: discrimination - The legal instrument: protected fields - Political action - The decades - Universality - Diplomacy - Two theses.
Chapter 4. A Living Instrument.
Ratification - Treaty monitoring - Annual reports - Communications - Prospects - Problems ahead.
Chapter 5: Australia Arraigned.
White Australia - Native title - Equal treatment - A multicultural society - Unfinished business.
Chapter 6: The USA Enlists.
Why ratify? - Ethnogenesis - The Initial/Third report -A language of diversity.
Chapter 7: Britain in Europe.
European institutions - Immigration - National variations - Ethnic monitoring - Reflections.
Chapter 8 The Third World Conference.
Alternatives - Drafting - Durban 2001 - The Declaration - The Programme of Action - Reservations - A calamity.
Chapter 9: Public Policy and Human Rights.
Human rights standards - Equality in civil and political rights - Equality in economic, social and cultural rights - Ethnic relations.
Chapter 10: Better Explanations.
Race as a social category - The racism problematic - After racism.
Postface.
Bibliography.
Index
piercing analysis of what would otherwise remain a thoroughly murky
subject. No one has better credentials for this job. Banton's are
grounded in a lifetime of theoretical work and decades of practical
experience. The result is conceptual clarity more than sufficient
to blaze a fascinating trail through masses of arcane but vital
information.' Donald L. Horowitz, Duke University
"A significant addition to the literature on the ways in which
our ideas about race and racism have evolved and changed over the
past few decades. It thus deserves a wider readership ... this is
an important book." American Journal of Sociology