In this text, Charles W. Mills argues that social contract theory has racist underpinnings. While his argument is not completely persuasive, this is an intriguing take on the theory.
-Law
The Partially Examined Life Philosophy Podcast
A Philosophy Podcast and Philosophy Blog
In this text, Charles W. Mills argues that social contract theory has racist underpinnings. While his argument is not completely persuasive, this is an intriguing take on the theory.
-Law
PEL Citizens have access to all podcast episodes, free access to podcast transcripts, guided readings, episode guides, PEL music, and other citizen-exclusive material. Click here to join.
It’s really a fascinating book. While it’s certainly true that Mills argues that the social contract tradition in social and political philosophy has racist underpinnings, the book has a far more expansive scope than just that piece of commentary on other philosophers.
Mills advances a case that in contrast to other contractarian theories which take the contract itself as an ahistorical theoretical device, one can actually locate a real, operating social contract in known history: a contract between one group (conceived of as persons) over everyone else (conceived of as non-persons) This actual, historical reality of a contract of person over/against non-person gets the name the Racial Contract in Mills. Note the capitalization as a proper noun.
Mills also notes that there’s a real parallel to draw between racial exploitation and gender exploitation, noting that a Sexual Contract (Pateman) is even more remote in the historical past.
There’s some great stuff in the book on meta-commentary on contract theory, but also a solid case that contract theory can offer a real analysis of racial realities in the past few thousand years of human history.
-Tom K.
Yes, you are right–I just gave a one line recommendation to give people a feel for why they should read it.
Oh yes, I was sure of that, and it’s a great encapsulation. I just thought I’d toss a bit more out there for anyone who was intrigued by your recommendation.