Legacies of Injustice : The African Slave Trade, Colonialism, and Today’s Human Rights

This book examines the impact of the African slave trade and colonialism on political, civil, economic, social, and environmental human rights. Using multiple combined data sets, the book demonstrates that many contemporary human rights issues stem from the impact of the African slave trade and subsequent colonialism as well as the disruption of economic and political development in colonies. Unlike other books concerning human rights, this book views contemporary human rights issues from both historical and sociological vantage points. This important book will be of interest to students studying in courses covering human rights, Africa and Africana studies and history, comparative ethnic studies, historical sociology, and global studies of the African slave trade. Cover Half Title Title Page Copyright Page Table of Contents List of Figures List of Tables Acknowledgments Preface Introduction: A Note to the Reader Chapter 1 Sociological Approaches Why We Need Human Rights The Sociological Study of Human Rights Sociology: Theory, Research, and Analysis Human Rights: Slavery, Colonialism, and Social Powers African Slave Trade Colonialism States and Today’s Social Powers Notes References Chapter 2 Human Rights Worldwide From Early Rights to Human Rights Developing Human Rights Post-Colonial Human Rights Improving Human Rights Notes References Chapter 3 The African Slave Trade Origins of the African Slave Trade African Slavery and Slave Economies Islamic-Oriented African Slavery Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade European States and the African Slave Trade The Slave Trade’s Long-Term Impact on Africa Impact on Demographics Impact on Economies Impact on Political Structures Impact of Religious Change The African Slave Trade and Today’s Human Rights Notes References Chapter 4 Colonial Legacies and Human Rights Empire, Exploitation Colonialism, and Settler Colonization Empires and Colonies Exploitation Colonies and Settler Colonies Colonial Aims and Outcomes From Colonies to States: Implications for Human Rights The Evolution of Nation-States Nation Building in Former Colonies Implications for Today’s Human Rights Notes References Chapter 5 From Then to Now: The African Slave Trade, Colonialism, and Today’s Human Rights The African Slave Trade Colonialism Four Social Powers Data and Analysis Overview Data and Statistical Analysis Theoretical Approach Potential Spuriousness Direct and Indirect Effects Results Effects of the African Slave Trade Effects of Colonialism Effects of the Four Social Powers Conclusions Notes References Chapter 6 Longterm Legacies, Social Movements, and Climate Change The Book in a Nutshell The Sociological Approach Future Analyses: Human Rights and Social Movements The Future: A Right to a Supportive Environment A Way Forward Notes References Appendix A: Supplementary Tables Appendix B: Research Methodology Index