In this article, we explore the relationship between past and present international relations (IR... more In this article, we explore the relationship between past and present international relations (IR) scholarship, paying particular attention to the way in which various representations, interpretations and classifi cations of past works can collectively infl uence how modern scholars ask and answer questions. This serves two main purposes. On the one hand, we seek to contribute to a growing literature interrogating misleading and simplistic depictions of past authors and eras. On the other, we explore how the history of ideas can be utilized as a critical resource, which offers a compelling platform from which to refi ne and re-evaluate prevailing notions of the purposes of intellectual inquiry.
The British Parliament's decision in 1807 to outlaw slave carrying by British subjects had profou... more The British Parliament's decision in 1807 to outlaw slave carrying by British subjects had profound international consequences. Having supported transatlantic slave trading for centuries as a central pillar of colonial projects in the Americas, British governments in the nineteenth century pursued a range of policies designed not only to end slavery within British territories, but also to restrict the slave systems of other political communities. This international antislavery advocacy proved difficult, expensive, and politically divisive. In places untouched by organized antislavery, slavery and slave trading continued to be considered -as they had been in Britain up to the late eighteenth century -integral features of the prevailing social and economic order. Contests over the status of slavery challenged the economic interests of pro-slavery groups. They also brought into focus larger questions of collective honour and national virtue. Continental European elites commonly suspected that anti-slavery masked other goals, making them hesitant to embrace policies they knew to be politically unpopular and potentially damaging economically. Ultimately, however, they felt compelled to condemn publicly slavery in order to uphold their international credentials as ‹civilized› nations. Having taken steps to introduce anti-slavery measures, they went on publicly to celebrate their humanity and to downplay their earlier involvement in slavery. These individual national decisions had important cumulative effects: by the second half of the nineteenth century, anti-slavery was more a hallmark of European civilization than just a peculiarly British preoccupation.
The International Journal of Human Rights, Jan 1, 2008
The legal abolition of slavery is often presented as a narrative endpoint, leaving an impression ... more The legal abolition of slavery is often presented as a narrative endpoint, leaving an impression that subsequent events marked a fundamental departure from the earlier status quo. This paper challenges this complacent viewpoint, developing an analytical distinction between legal abolition and effective emancipation, with the former being defined in terms of a circumscribed change in official status, and the latter encompassing an evolving series of aspirations and expectations. To advance this line of argument, I interrogate three different postabolition settings; the British Caribbean, Colonial Nigeria, and the Indian Subcontinent. By giving pride of place to the actions and outlooks of individuals who have been formally released from servile relationships, and charting their subsequent achievements -or lack thereof -these case studies serve to cast new light upon evolving efforts to combat contemporary forms of slavery.
This article takes up the evolving relationship between antislavery and human trafficking. In rec... more This article takes up the evolving relationship between antislavery and human trafficking. In recent times, there has been renewed interest in issues such as people smuggling, forced labor, and, in particular, sexual servitude. These serious problems are regularly represented as a species of slavery, with trafficking being portrayed as a form of slave trading, but there has been relatively little discussion of how this connection is established, or how contemporary problems relate to the broader history of organized antislavery. Building upon the concept of an "Anti-Slavery Project," the article embraces a macrohistorical perspective, which seeks to integrate contemporary discussion of trafficking within a larger historical complex. This starts with the nexus between antislavery, "white" slavery, and human trafficking and ultimately extends to the difficult relationship between trafficking, transit, and larger political agendas.
This article explores the relationship between the historical events surrounding the legal abolit... more This article explores the relationship between the historical events surrounding the legal abolition of slavery, and the widespread and often longstanding practices that fall under the rubric of "contemporary forms of slavery." Slavery is routinely dismissed as an historical artifact, but this complacent viewpoint obscures a range of complex and enduring problems. In this article, I suggest that one of the main limitations of an emerging literature on contemporary slavery is a recurrent tendency to downplay or disregard the historical dimensions of current problems, in favor of a problematic bifurcation between "new" and "old." Employing a macro-historical perspective, I take up the complex relationship between the historical and contemporary, introducing the concept of an "Anti-Slavery Project," which builds upon the notion that the present status quo can be traced to both the remarkable achievements, and substantive limitations, of legal abolition.
Over the last decade, critical historiographers have established that the story of a First Debate... more Over the last decade, critical historiographers have established that the story of a First Debate, which tells of a struggle between idealism/utopianism and realism between the 1920s and 1940s, is a misleading characterisation of the history of academic international thought. This article adds to this critical literature by exploring how the story of a First Debate became a part of disciplinary orthodoxy between the 1950s and 1990s. Our analysis reveals that scholars produced the myth of a First Debate by detaching the concept of a struggle between idealism and realism from the unique historical milieu in which it was conceived, and employing this dichotomy for a new set of rhetorical purposes. We use these findings to suggest refinements for the historiographical methods employed to understand past international thought, and to illuminate the historical contingency of contemporary notions of scholarly purpose in international relations.
Recently introduced anti-trafficking regulations in South Africa are doing more harm than good. T... more Recently introduced anti-trafficking regulations in South Africa are doing more harm than good. This is because they have been driven by panic and international pressure, not evidence.
Human trafficking and Africa’s ‘pornography of pain’: the pitfalls of CSR
LexisNexis South Africa has mined its newspaper archives to produce a deeply flawed ‘human traffi... more LexisNexis South Africa has mined its newspaper archives to produce a deeply flawed ‘human trafficking awareness index’. This draws upon sensationalised research to create yet more false information on trafficking.
In this article, we explore the relationship between past and present international relations (IR... more In this article, we explore the relationship between past and present international relations (IR) scholarship, paying particular attention to the way in which various representations, interpretations and classifi cations of past works can collectively infl uence how modern scholars ask and answer questions. This serves two main purposes. On the one hand, we seek to contribute to a growing literature interrogating misleading and simplistic depictions of past authors and eras. On the other, we explore how the history of ideas can be utilized as a critical resource, which offers a compelling platform from which to refi ne and re-evaluate prevailing notions of the purposes of intellectual inquiry.
The British Parliament's decision in 1807 to outlaw slave carrying by British subjects had profou... more The British Parliament's decision in 1807 to outlaw slave carrying by British subjects had profound international consequences. Having supported transatlantic slave trading for centuries as a central pillar of colonial projects in the Americas, British governments in the nineteenth century pursued a range of policies designed not only to end slavery within British territories, but also to restrict the slave systems of other political communities. This international antislavery advocacy proved difficult, expensive, and politically divisive. In places untouched by organized antislavery, slavery and slave trading continued to be considered -as they had been in Britain up to the late eighteenth century -integral features of the prevailing social and economic order. Contests over the status of slavery challenged the economic interests of pro-slavery groups. They also brought into focus larger questions of collective honour and national virtue. Continental European elites commonly suspected that anti-slavery masked other goals, making them hesitant to embrace policies they knew to be politically unpopular and potentially damaging economically. Ultimately, however, they felt compelled to condemn publicly slavery in order to uphold their international credentials as ‹civilized› nations. Having taken steps to introduce anti-slavery measures, they went on publicly to celebrate their humanity and to downplay their earlier involvement in slavery. These individual national decisions had important cumulative effects: by the second half of the nineteenth century, anti-slavery was more a hallmark of European civilization than just a peculiarly British preoccupation.
The International Journal of Human Rights, Jan 1, 2008
The legal abolition of slavery is often presented as a narrative endpoint, leaving an impression ... more The legal abolition of slavery is often presented as a narrative endpoint, leaving an impression that subsequent events marked a fundamental departure from the earlier status quo. This paper challenges this complacent viewpoint, developing an analytical distinction between legal abolition and effective emancipation, with the former being defined in terms of a circumscribed change in official status, and the latter encompassing an evolving series of aspirations and expectations. To advance this line of argument, I interrogate three different postabolition settings; the British Caribbean, Colonial Nigeria, and the Indian Subcontinent. By giving pride of place to the actions and outlooks of individuals who have been formally released from servile relationships, and charting their subsequent achievements -or lack thereof -these case studies serve to cast new light upon evolving efforts to combat contemporary forms of slavery.
This article takes up the evolving relationship between antislavery and human trafficking. In rec... more This article takes up the evolving relationship between antislavery and human trafficking. In recent times, there has been renewed interest in issues such as people smuggling, forced labor, and, in particular, sexual servitude. These serious problems are regularly represented as a species of slavery, with trafficking being portrayed as a form of slave trading, but there has been relatively little discussion of how this connection is established, or how contemporary problems relate to the broader history of organized antislavery. Building upon the concept of an "Anti-Slavery Project," the article embraces a macrohistorical perspective, which seeks to integrate contemporary discussion of trafficking within a larger historical complex. This starts with the nexus between antislavery, "white" slavery, and human trafficking and ultimately extends to the difficult relationship between trafficking, transit, and larger political agendas.
This article explores the relationship between the historical events surrounding the legal abolit... more This article explores the relationship between the historical events surrounding the legal abolition of slavery, and the widespread and often longstanding practices that fall under the rubric of "contemporary forms of slavery." Slavery is routinely dismissed as an historical artifact, but this complacent viewpoint obscures a range of complex and enduring problems. In this article, I suggest that one of the main limitations of an emerging literature on contemporary slavery is a recurrent tendency to downplay or disregard the historical dimensions of current problems, in favor of a problematic bifurcation between "new" and "old." Employing a macro-historical perspective, I take up the complex relationship between the historical and contemporary, introducing the concept of an "Anti-Slavery Project," which builds upon the notion that the present status quo can be traced to both the remarkable achievements, and substantive limitations, of legal abolition.
Over the last decade, critical historiographers have established that the story of a First Debate... more Over the last decade, critical historiographers have established that the story of a First Debate, which tells of a struggle between idealism/utopianism and realism between the 1920s and 1940s, is a misleading characterisation of the history of academic international thought. This article adds to this critical literature by exploring how the story of a First Debate became a part of disciplinary orthodoxy between the 1950s and 1990s. Our analysis reveals that scholars produced the myth of a First Debate by detaching the concept of a struggle between idealism and realism from the unique historical milieu in which it was conceived, and employing this dichotomy for a new set of rhetorical purposes. We use these findings to suggest refinements for the historiographical methods employed to understand past international thought, and to illuminate the historical contingency of contemporary notions of scholarly purpose in international relations.
Recently introduced anti-trafficking regulations in South Africa are doing more harm than good. T... more Recently introduced anti-trafficking regulations in South Africa are doing more harm than good. This is because they have been driven by panic and international pressure, not evidence.
Human trafficking and Africa’s ‘pornography of pain’: the pitfalls of CSR
LexisNexis South Africa has mined its newspaper archives to produce a deeply flawed ‘human traffi... more LexisNexis South Africa has mined its newspaper archives to produce a deeply flawed ‘human trafficking awareness index’. This draws upon sensationalised research to create yet more false information on trafficking.
Race is, ironically, an often-overlooked aspect of the modern slavery debate. BTS editors look cr... more Race is, ironically, an often-overlooked aspect of the modern slavery debate. BTS editors look critically at the field and introduce their next issue.
Reparations are too confronting: let’s talk about 'modern-day slavery' instead
Governments and activists in Europe and America invoke the immediacy of “modern-day slavery” to s... more Governments and activists in Europe and America invoke the immediacy of “modern-day slavery” to sidestep challenging questions regarding the case for reparations. Instead of repairing harm, they promise rescue.
Uncomfortable Silences: Anti-Slavery, Colonialism and Imperialism
Modern activists and public officials have frequently reduced the history of anti-slavery to a ho... more Modern activists and public officials have frequently reduced the history of anti-slavery to a hollowed out "feel good story," whose chief role is to help legitimate their pre-existing personal beliefs, policies and approaches. The types of historical "lessons" generated from these highly selective historical excursions tend to be fairly generic, as they most commonly relate to either personal virtues (perseverance, faith, etc.) or familiar political strategies that have already been further improved and expanded by later generations of activists (petitions, boycotts etc.). The uncomfortable relationship between anti-slavery and imperialism needs to become part of this conversation, as it is replete with lessons about what not to do. Rather than taking the "humanitarian" credentials of anti-slavery supporters at face value, we instead need to interrogate and reflect upon how, why and where anti-slavery rhetoric aligns with other ideological, economic and political agendas, and what consequences can follow from these alignments. Rather than taking anti-slavery legislation at face value, we instead need to reflect on how and why states that are ostensibly committed to the anti-slavery cause continue to favor legal regimes and policy responses that promote forms of systemic abuse, vulnerability, discrimination and exploitation. Rather than treating slavery as a singular and exceptional category, we instead need to approach slavery as but one manifestation of much larger patterns of exploitation and exclusion. Rather than assuming that "freedom" is always sharply differentiated from slavery, we instead take into account the ideological and political effects associated with declaring a person to be "free," and the types of constraints that "freedom" can gloss over.
The rhetoric and reality of ‘ending slavery in our lifetime’
‘Modern-day abolitionists’ frame their activities as part of a shared global struggle, but there ... more ‘Modern-day abolitionists’ frame their activities as part of a shared global struggle, but there is no single anti-slavery or anti-trafficking movement.
Beyond Trafficking and Slavery editors introduce their issue 'On History', which challenges the s... more Beyond Trafficking and Slavery editors introduce their issue 'On History', which challenges the superficial narratives of anti-slavery used by 'modern-day abolitionists' and considers the lessons found in alternative historical approaches.
The politics of exception: the bipartisan appeal of human trafficking
Contemporary abolitionism garners strong bipartisan support because it does not challenge major e... more Contemporary abolitionism garners strong bipartisan support because it does not challenge major economic and political interests. But slavery, trafficking and forced labour are rooted in global patterns of injustice. For the movement to be effective it must sacrifice some of its support in order to speak truth to power.
Moving beyond popular representations of trafficking and slavery
Beyond Trafficking and Slavery editors introduce their first themed issue, which explores how sla... more Beyond Trafficking and Slavery editors introduce their first themed issue, which explores how slavery and trafficking have been represented—by public officials, activists, and numerous others—together with the frequently troubling consequences that these popular representations have had upon policy and practice.
Benchmarking practices have rapidly diffused throughout the globe in recent years. This can be tr... more Benchmarking practices have rapidly diffused throughout the globe in recent years. This can be traced to their popularity amongst non-state actors, such as civil society organisations and corporate actors, as well as states and international organisations (IOs). Benchmarks serve to both ‘neutralise’ and ‘universalise’ a range of overlapping normative values and agendas, including freedom of speech, democracy, human development, environmental protection, poverty alleviation, ‘modern’ statehood, and ‘free’ markets. The proliferation of global benchmarks in these key areas amounts to a comprehensive normative vision regarding what various types of transnational actors should look like, what they should value, and how they should behave. While individual benchmarks routinely differ in terms of scope and application, they all share a common foundation, with normative values and agendas being translated into numerical representations through simplification and extrapolation, commensuration, reification, and symbolic judgements. We argue that the power of benchmarks chiefly stems from their capacity to create the appearance of authoritative expertise on the basis of forms of quantification and numerical representation. This politics of numbers paves the way for the exercise of various forms of indirect power, or ‘governance at a distance’, for the purposes of either status quo legitimation or political reform.
Global benchmarks have grown exponentially over the last two decades, having been both applied to... more Global benchmarks have grown exponentially over the last two decades, having been both applied to and developed by states, international organisations, corporations, and non-governmental organisations. As a consequence, global benchmarking is now firmly established as a distinct mode of transnational governance. Benchmarking chiefly involves the development of comparative metrics of performance, which typically take the form of highly stylised comparisons which are generated by translating complex phenomena into numerical values via simplification and extrapolation, commensuration, reification, and symbolic judgements. This process of translation takes what might otherwise be highly contentious normative agendas and converts them into formats that gain credibility through rhetorical claims to neutral and technocratic assessment. This politics of numbers has far-reaching ramifications for transnational governance, including the dimensions and effects of indirect power, expertise and agenda-setting, coordination, regulation and certification, and norm contestation and activism. This Special Issue draws upon an emerging literature to explore how and why benchmarks both align with and expand upon established models of International Relations theory and scholarship. It does so by critically examining the role of global benchmarks in key areas such as state ‘failure’, global supply chains, disaster management, economic governance, corporate social responsibility, and human development.
Global benchmarks have grown exponentially over the last two decades, having been both applied to... more Global benchmarks have grown exponentially over the last two decades, having been both applied to and developed by states, international organisations, corporations, and non-governmental organisations. As a consequence, global benchmarking is now firmly established as a distinct mode of transnational governance. Benchmarking chiefly involves the development of comparative metrics of performance, which typically take the form of highly stylised comparisons which are generated by translating complex phenomena into numerical values via simplification and extrapolation, commensuration, reification, and symbolic judgements. This process of translation takes what might otherwise be highly contentious normative agendas and converts them into formats that gain credibility through rhetorical claims to neutral and technocratic assessment. This politics of numbers has far-reaching ramifications for transnational governance, including the dimensions and effects of indirect power, expertise and agenda-setting, coordination, regulation and certification, and norm contestation and activism. This Special Issue draws upon an emerging literature to explore how and why benchmarks both align with and expand upon established models of International Relations theory and scholarship. It does so by critically examining the role of global benchmarks in key areas such as state ‘failure’, global supply chains, disaster management, economic governance, corporate social responsibility, and human development.
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