The Roots of Racism : The Politics of White Supremacy in the US and Europe

This book examines the historical development of racist ideas and policies that have led to policies today that have created a system of oppression on both sides of the Atlantic. The main theme is that maintaining political control as well as economic aims were a two-pronged approach for leaders and politicians who saw the advantage in oppressing groups they considered inferior. Even when the ideas of inferiority had been undermined after World War II, these policies were perpetuated by those who found ways to maintain white power, not only in the South, but across the US and in Europe. Dr. Givens’ unique understanding of the development of anti-immigrant radical right parties in Europe, the rise of Donald Trump in the US and the Brexit vote in the UK is combined with a focus on the historical connections with politics and policies in the US to develop a politics of white supremacy that guides policy to the present day. Front Cover The Roots of Racism: The Politics of White Supremacy in the US and Europe Copyright information Dedication Table of contents Preface 1 Introduction: Structural Racism is the Problem of the 21st Century Ongoing discrimination toward ethnic and racial minorities The politics of White supremacy versus White nationalism Perpetuating White supremacy versus a multicultural future Defining comparative race theory Outline of chapters 2 Political Science, International Relations, and the Normalization of White Supremacy The impact of the lack of diversity in political science Political science and the perpetuation of White supremacy International relations, race, and immigration Transatlantic ideas and connections: immigration, race (and religion) in Europe Conclusion 3 The Social and Geographical Construction of Race: A Transatlantic History The development of race: a transatlantic history Becoming Black Becoming White: race and immigration The role of religion in defining the other Conclusion Note 4 Ties that Bind: Slavery and Colonialism A timeline of slavery and colonialism 1400–1550: laying the foundations for the slave trade 1560–1600: the English enter the slave trade 1607–1700: slavery in America 1700–1800: the beginning of the end of the slave trade 1800–1900: abolition to Civil War Europe encounters Africa: 1400–1599 Slavery and colonialism Colonialism and empire: the foundations for future migration Britain France Germany Conclusion 5 Post-War Transitions: The Conflation of Immigration and Race Immigration control, race, and eugenics Immigration and the development of marginalized communities in Europe From temporary labor to settlers Family reunification and the beginning of the backlash Conclusion 6 Immigration, Race, and Citizenship Reconstruction and the development of violent voter suppression in the US Citizenship and immigration in Europe Britain France Germany Conclusion 7 From the Civil Rights Movement to Black Lives Matter Discrimination in practice The civil rights movements in the US and UK British race relations laws Antidiscrimination policy in Europe Immigrant and minority political participation Conclusion Note 8 Party Politics, the Radical Right, and Race in the 21st Century A political backlash to increasing diversity Radical right parties: racism repackaged Barack Obama and immigrant politics Transatlantic connections on the right The decline of left-wing parties Conclusion 9 Elections, Protest, and Insurrection Brexit and the politics of immigration Black Lives Matter and policing This perspective on policing is an indicator of the depth and persistence of these issues across the Atlantic. It is a topic that will continue to play an important role in race relations going forward. COVID-19 and race US election 2020 and the Capitol insurrection Conclusion 10 Conclusion: Finding a Path Forward Politics, demographics, and White supremacy Toward a sub-discipline of comparative race theory Creating change References Index Back Cover "Racism has deep roots in both the United States and Europe. This important book examines the past, present, and future of racist ideas and politics. It describes how policies have developed over a long history of European and White American dominance of political institutions that maintain White supremacy. Givens examines the connections between immigration policy and racism that have contributed to the rise of anti-immigrant, radical-right parties in Europe, the rise of Trumpism in the US, and the Brexit vote in the UK. This book provides a vital springboard for people, organizations, and politicians who want to dismantle structural racism and discrimination." --Amazon.com This important book examines the past, present, and future of racist ideas and politics, showing how policies have developed over a long history of European and White American dominance of political institutions.