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.

Contenu

Preface 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