The States of the Earth: An Ecological and Racial History of Secularization

By: Mohamed Amer Meziane

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Synopsis: "An extraordinary book. Mohamed Amer Meziane's breathtaking analysis of the making of fossil states opens to a new genre of history writing where the very layers of earth's riches are at its center."—Ann Laura Stoler, author of Carnal Knowledge and Imperial Power, Along the Archival GrainHow the disenchantment of empire led to climate changeWhile industrial states competed to colonize Asia and Africa in the nineteenth century, conversion to Christianity was replaced by a civilizing mission. This new secular impetus strode hand in hand with racial capitalism in the age of empires: a terrestrial paradise was to be achieved through accumulation and the ravaging of nature.Far from a defence of religion, The States of the Earth argues that phenomena such as evangelism and political Islam are best understood as products of empire and secularization. In a world where material technology was considered divine, religious and secular forces both tried to achieve Heaven on Earth by destroying Earth itself.

Book Quality:: Publisher Quality
ISBN-13:: 9781804291795
Related ISBNs:: 9781804291771
Publisher:: Verso Books
Date of Addition:: 04/09/24
Copyrighted By:: Jonathan Adjemian
Adult content:: No
Language:: English
Has Image Descriptions:: No
Categories:: History, Nonfiction, Religion and Spirituality, Philosophy, Politics and Government
Submitted By:: Bookshare Staff
Usage Restrictions:: This is a copyrighted book.
Translator:: Jonathan Adjemian