Barbaric Others: A Manifesto on Western Racism - Softcover

Sardar, Ziauddin; Nandy, Ashis; Davies, Merryl Wynn

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0745307434 ISBN 13: 9780745307435

Publisher: Pluto Press, 1993

Synopsis

The word barbarian is derived from the Greek term 'barbaroi' - or one who cannot speak Greek. As the Greeks believed that language was the tool of reason, non-Greek speakers, therefore, were considered devoid of the facility to reason or to act according to logic. This concept of barbarism in turn shaped the early anthropological observations of Columbus and the first European visitors to the Americas. Barbaric Others examines the convenient myopia which through the ages has allowed - and continues to allow - the West to see other peoples as 'barbarians', infidels, even `savages'. In the book, the authors present a succinct history of racism, xenophobia and the concept of 'otherness' from ancient Greece to the present day. Topics covered include the representation of the `other' in mythology, the mediaeval fascination with demons and the idea of the wild man, a critical overview of Columbus and 15th century exploration and the 'other' as colonial subject.

About this title

About the Authors

Ziauddin Sardar is a London-based scholar, award-winning writer, cultural critic and intellectual specialising in Muslim thought, futures studies and science and cultural relations. He is the author of How Do You Know?: Reading Ziauddin Sardar on Islam, Science and Cultural Relations (Pluto, 2006), Aliens R Us: The Other in Science Fiction Cinema (Pluto, 2002) and Postmodernism and the Other (Pluto, 1997).

Ashis Nandy is an Indian political psychologist and social theorist. A trained clinical psychologist, Nandy has provided critiques of European colonialism, development, modernity, secularism, Hindutva, science, technology, nuclearism, cosmopolitanism, and utopia. He is the author of over 20 books.

Merryl Wynn Davies is a writer and broadcaster. At the BBC she worked for Everyman, Heart of the Matter and Global Report and was a regular contributor to the Muslim magazine Afkar/Inquiry. Her books include 'Knowing One Another: Shaping an Islamic Anthropology' (1988) and 'Darwin and Fundamentalism' (2000) and a trilogy on America with Ziauddin Sardar from 'Why do People Hate America?' (2003) to 'Will America Change?' (2008).

Edition details

• Publisher: Pluto Press
• Publication date: 1993
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0745307434
• ISBN 13: 9780745307435
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 128