Burden or Benefit?
Imperial Benevolence and Its Legacies
Published on 12. March 2008
Book
Hardback
240 pages
978-0-253-35077-0 (ISBN)
Description
In the name of benevolence, philanthropy, and humanitarian aid, individuals, groups, and nations have sought to assist others and to redress forms of suffering and deprivation. Yet, the inherent imbalances of power between the giver and the recipient of this benevolence have called into question the motives and rationale for such assistance. This volume examines the evolution of the ideas and practices of benevolence, chiefly in the context of British imperialism, from the late 18th century to the present.The authors consider more than a dozen examples of practical and theoretical benevolence from the anti-slavery movement of the late 18th century to such modern activities as refugee asylum in Europe, opposition to female genital mutilation in Africa, fund raising for charities, and restoring the wetlands in southern, post-Saddam Iraq. The book offers a complex and nuanced study of benevolence that avoids simple moralistic judgments while exploring a range of ethical, political, social, and cultural issues linked with benevolent pursuits and policies.
Reviews / Votes
"A strong volume... The book is accessible and will meet the needs of faculty who teach on empire, colonialism, philanthropy, charity, and related subjects." Steven Heydemann, Georgetown UniversityMore details
Series
Language
English
Place of publication
Bloomington, IN
United States
Target group
Professional and scholarly
Dimensions
Height: 235 mm
Width: 156 mm
Weight
459 gr
ISBN-13
978-0-253-35077-0 (9780253350770)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions
E-Book
03/2008
Indiana University Press
€18.18
Available for download
Content
1. Introduction: What's Wrong with Benevolence?, Chris Tiffin and Helen Gilbert; 2. A Short History of Benevolence, Patrick BrantlingerI. Colonial Burdens?3. Thomas Fowell Buxton and the Networks of British Humanitarianism, Alan Lester; 4. Settler Colonialism, Utility, Romance: E. G. Wakefield's Letter from Sydney, Lisa O'Connell; 5. Benevolence, Slavery, and the Periodicals, Chris Tiffin; 6. "This Nineteenth Century of Progress and Humanity": The Life and Times of Frederick Weld, Leigh Dale; 7. Women, Philanthropy and Imperialism in Nineteenth-century Britain, Sarah Richardson; 8. Blixen's Africa: Wonderland of the Self, Kirsten Holst PetersenII. Contemporary Benefits?9. From Benevolence to Partnership: The Persistence of Colonial Legacies in Aotearoa-New Zealand, Chris Prentice; 10. Refusing Benevolence: Gandhi, Nehru, and the Ethics of Postcolonial Relations, Rajeswari Sunder Rajan; 11. Rescuing African Women and Girls: Benevolence and the Civilizing Mission in Anti-FGM Discourse, Wairimu Njambi; 12. Benevolence and Humiliation: Thinking Migrants, Integration, and Security in Europe, Prem Kumar Rajaram; 13. Hearts, Minds, and Wetlands: Stakeholders and Ecosystem Restoration from Florida's Everglades to the Mesopotamian Marshlands, William E. O'Brien Notes on Contributors; Index