Between Gaia and Ground: Four Axioms of Existence and the Ancestral Catastrophe of Late Liberalism

Elizabeth A. Povinelli's book explores the ancestral catastrophe that Indigenous and colonized peoples have been suffering from, and how the violence and philosophies of the West threaten it. She highlights four axioms of existence: entanglement of existence, unequal distribution of power, collapse of the event as essential to political thought, and legacies of racial and colonial histories.

\n Format: Paperback / softback
\n Length: 200 pages
\n Publication date: 25 October 2021
\n Publisher: Duke University Press
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Elizabeth A. Povinelli delves into the intricate web of climatic, environmental, viral, and social catastrophes that have plagued Indigenous and colonized peoples for centuries, viewing them as an ancestral catastrophe. This ancestral trauma not only shapes the violence and philosophies the West currently relies upon but also poses a threat to its very existence. By engaging with the profound insights of Glissant, Deleuze, and Guattari, Césaire, and Arendt, Povinelli unveils four fundamental axioms of existence: the entanglement of existence, the unequal distribution of power, the collapse of the event as a central tenant of political thought, and the legacies of racial and colonial histories. These axioms find their inspiration in the anticolonial struggles against dispossession and extraction, which have ravaged the living conditions of countless individuals across the planet. Through a meticulous examination of the dynamic and evolving manifestations of late liberal violence, Povinelli addresses critical concerns about the changing environmental landscape, the enduring legacies of violence, and the limitations of inherited Western social theory.

Moreover, Between Gaia and Ground offers a comprehensive glossary of the key terms and concepts that Povinelli has meticulously crafted throughout her intellectual journey. This resource serves as a valuable tool for readers seeking to deepen their understanding of her work and engage with the complex issues she explores. By delving into the interconnections between nature, society, and violence, Povinelli's book offers a profound exploration of the ongoing struggles and challenges faced by Indigenous and colonized communities. It serves as a call to action, urging us to confront the historical and systemic injustices that have perpetuated inequality and harm and work towards a more just and sustainable future for all.

\n Weight: 302g\n
Dimension: 152 x 229 x 20 (mm)\n
ISBN-13: 9781478014577\n \n