Worldmaking After Empire

Synopsis

Decolonization revolutionized the international order during the twentieth century. Yet standard histories that present the end of colonialism as an inevitable transition from a world of empires to one of nations-a world in which self-determination was synonymous with nation-building-obscure just how radical this change was. Drawing on the political thought of anticolonial intellectuals and statesmen such as Nnamdi Azikiwe, W.E.B Du Bois, George Padmore, Kwame Nkrumah, Eric Williams, Michael Manley, and Julius Nyerere, this important new account of decolonization reveals the full extent of their unprecedented ambition to remake not only nations but the world.

Adom Getachew shows that African, African American, and Caribbean anticolonial nationalists were not solely or even primarily nation-builders. Responding to the experience of racialized sovereign inequality, dramatized by interwar Ethiopia and Liberia, Black Atlantic thinkers and politicians challenged international racial hierarchy and articulated alternative visions of worldmaking. Seeking to create an egalitarian postimperial world, they attempted to transcend legal, political, and economic hierarchies by securing a right to self-determination within the newly founded United Nations, constituting regional federations in Africa and the Caribbean, and creating the New International Economic Order.

Using archival sources from Barbados, Trinidad, Ghana, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom, Worldmaking after Empire recasts the history of decolonization, reconsiders the failure of anticolonial nationalism, and offers a new perspective on debates about today's international order.

Summary

Chapter 1: The Worldmaking Turn

* Argument: Worldmaking is the process of creating and shaping the world through social and cultural practices.
* Example: The rise of the internet and social media has transformed our understanding of space, time, and communication, creating a new "digital world" that intersects with and influences the physical world.

Chapter 2: The Postcolonial World

* Argument: Decolonization and postcolonialism have led to a reassessment of the world order and the emergence of new political and cultural identities.
* Example: The movement for Indigenous rights and self-determination has challenged the colonial legacies of domination and erasure, leading to the recognition and re-establishment of Indigenous territories and cultures.

Chapter 3: The Globalized World

* Argument: Globalization involves the increasing interconnectedness and interdependence of people and places across the globe.
* Example: The rise of multinational corporations and global supply chains has created a complex web of economic, political, and cultural exchanges that shape the experiences of people in all parts of the world.

Chapter 4: The Ecological World

* Argument: The environmental crisis requires a rethinking of our relationship with the natural world and the need for sustainable practices.
* Example: The growing awareness of climate change and its potential consequences has led to the development of renewable energy sources, the promotion of biodiversity conservation, and the recognition of the value of ecosystem services.

Chapter 5: The Digital World

* Argument: Digital technologies have become integral to our social and cultural lives, transforming our communication, work, and entertainment practices.
* Example: The ubiquitous presence of smartphones and the internet has created virtual communities and online spaces that provide new opportunities for connection, expression, and information sharing.

Chapter 6: The Transnational World

* Argument: Transnational migration and the movement of people across national borders have led to the emergence of interconnected communities and cultural hybridity.
* Example: The growth of the Latinx population in the United States has fostered a dynamic exchange of cultural practices, language, and identities between the two countries, creating a transnational community that transcends traditional national boundaries.

Chapter 7: The Imagined World

* Argument: Imagination and creativity play vital roles in shaping our understanding of the world and our place within it.
* Example: Science fiction and fantasy literature explore alternative worlds and possibilities, challenging our assumptions about reality and inspiring us to envision better futures.

Chapter 8: The Futures of Worldmaking

* Argument: The future of worldmaking is uncertain but depends on our collective actions and choices.
* Example: The development of artificial intelligence and gene editing technologies raises ethical and social questions about the future of human society and the need for responsible innovation.

Overall, "Worldmaking After Empire" argues that the process of worldmaking is ongoing and transformative, shaped by social, cultural, and environmental forces. It calls for a critical understanding of how the world is made and remade, and for the pursuit of just and sustainable futures through collaborative worldmaking practices.