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On Settler Colonialism

Ideology, Violence, and Justice

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About this listen

A prominent public intellectual tackles one of the most crucial political ideas of our moment.

Since Hamas's attack on Israel last October 7, the term "settler colonialism" has become central to public debate in the United States. A concept new to most Americans, but already established and influential in academic circles, settler colonialism is shaping the way many people think about the history of the United States, Israel and Palestine, and a host of political issues.

This short book is the first to examine settler colonialism critically for a general audience. By critiquing the most important writers, texts, and ideas in the field, Adam Kirsch shows how the concept emerged in the context of North American and Australian history and how it is being applied to Israel. He examines the sources of its appeal, which, he argues, are spiritual as much as political; how it works to delegitimize nations; and why it has the potential to turn indignation at past injustices into a source of new injustices today. A compact and accessible introduction, rich with historical detail, the book will speak to listeners interested in the Middle East, American history, and today's most urgent cultural-political debates.

©2024 Adam Kirsch (P)2024 Kalorama Freedom & Security Political Science Politics & Government Social Sciences Violence in Society Middle East Thought-Provoking Colonial Period American History Africa
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I suppose I agree with the arguments the author makes, however, it seems like a lot of time is spent arguing against ideas that are so easy to argue against, it shouldn't take so much time, as brief as the book is. It's sad humanity still makes intellectual arguments about how certain people are evil by virtue of what they were born into. You'd think by now we could have gotten past all this but we seem to be sinking deeper into it these days. Beyond all intellectualization of the subject, we are left with greedy and aggressive people that want to make everyone else do crazy stuff, though perhaps that's all of us, it's just most of us aren't given the opportunity to behave this way. Some of the ideas of Jewish justice were new to me and I found them interesting as a way of viewing the path forward. All in all, the book made me sad.

On a technical side, I found the audio recording of the book distorted and shrill. For this and a variety of other reasons, I would recommend reading the book rather than listening to it. I imagine it's a better read than a listen. The only reason I listened to it was because I got a special with audible so I could get it for a buck rather than paying 35 bucks for the hardcover.

Short, but perhaps too long, some interesting ideas

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It reads like a "get over it" narratives. Indigenous canadian still face violence when asserting our inherit rights.

Just get over it

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