Racial Apocalypse: The Cultivation of Supremacy in the Early Modern World

This book explores the relationship between apocalyptic thought, political supremacy, and racialization in the early modern world, analyzing how apocalyptic racial thought advanced political power objectives across linguistic and national borders. It contributes to defining race across various areas of research in the early modern period.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 178 pages
Publication date: 29 January 2024
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

This captivating book delves into the intricate relationship between apocalyptic thought, political supremacy, and racialization in the early modern world. Within its pages, the chapters meticulously analyze apocalypse and racialization from diverse discursive and geopolitical perspectives, aiming to shed light on the pervasive and diverse nature of apocalyptic racial thought and its pivotal role in advancing political power objectives across linguistic and national borders during the early modern period. By examining race through the lens of apocalyptic discourse, this volume not only uncovers the interconnectedness between the pursuit of political power and apocalyptic thought but also makes significant contributions to defining race across various fields of research in the early modern era, including colonialism, English and Hispanist studies, and religious studies.

The early modern world was characterized by a profound interplay between apocalyptic thought, political supremacy, and racialization. This book explores the intricate connections between these three forces, shedding light on their ubiquity and diversity in the period. Through a comprehensive analysis of apocalypse and racialization from various discursive and geopolitical spaces, the chapters in this book aim to provide a deeper understanding of the centrality of apocalyptic racial thought in advancing political power objectives across linguistic and national borders.

Apocalyptic thought, as explored in this book, refers to a worldview that envisions a catastrophic end-time event or series of events that will usher in a new era of righteousness and purity. It often involves the belief in the imminent arrival of a divine savior or the ultimate destruction of the world as we know it. Apocalyptic thought has been prevalent throughout history, but it reached its peak in the early modern period, particularly during the Protestant Reformation and the Thirty Years' War.

Political supremacy, on the other hand, refers to the dominance of one political entity or group over others. It can be achieved through various means, including military conquest, political manipulation, and cultural hegemony. In the early modern world, political supremacy was often associated with the pursuit of territorial expansion, economic dominance, and cultural influence.

Racialization, as the book highlights, refers to the process of categorizing individuals or groups based on their perceived racial differences. It involves the creation of hierarchies and stereotypes, as well as the marginalization and oppression of those who are perceived as different. Racialization has been a persistent feature of human history, but it reached its zenith in the early modern period, particularly in the context of colonialism and slavery.

The chapters in this book examine apocalypse and racialization from a range of perspectives, including religious, political, and cultural. They explore how apocalyptic thought was used to justify political dominance and the exploitation of racialized groups. They also examine how racialization was used to construct and maintain social hierarchies and to justify the subjugation of marginalized communities.

One of the key themes of the book is the interconnectedness of apocalyptic thought, political supremacy, and racialization. The authors argue that these three forces were not separate or independent but were deeply intertwined, shaping the world in which we live today. They also argue that the study of these three forces can provide valuable insights into the ongoing struggles for social justice and equality.

Another important theme of the book is the diversity of apocalyptic racial thought. The authors demonstrate that apocalyptic racial thought was not limited to a single region or culture but was prevalent across the early modern world. They explore how different religious and cultural traditions interpreted the end-time event and how this interpretation shaped their attitudes towards race and racialization.

The book also highlights the role of language in the construction of apocalyptic racial thought. The authors argue that language played a crucial role in shaping the way in which individuals and groups perceived and interpreted the end-time event. They explore how language was used to create and perpetuate stereotypes and how it was used to justify the marginalization and oppression of racialized groups.

In conclusion, this book provides a comprehensive and insightful exploration of the relationship between apocalyptic thought, political supremacy, and racialization in the early modern world. By examining these three forces from diverse perspectives, the authors shed light on the pervasive and diverse nature of apocalyptic racial thought and its pivotal role in advancing political power objectives across linguistic and national borders. The book also contributes to defining race across multiple areas of research in the early modern period, including colonialism, English and Hispanist studies, and religious studies.

Weight: 453g
Dimension: 229 x 152 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781032268033