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Reparations

Slavery and the Tyranny of Imaginary Guilt

Nigel Biggar

$39.99

Hardback

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English
Forum
25 September 2025
Many now claim that Western countries should pay reparations to former colonies for the lasting damage they caused, especially through slavery. To what extent is the argument about damage correct in the first place? And, if it is correct, what should we now do about it?

Reparations removes the sloganeering from a newly-fashionable cause, sets the issue in its proper historical context, and mounts an ethical counter-argument. The natural sequel to Nigel Biggar's bestselling and widely acclaimed Colonialism: A Moral Reckoning, it makes a powerful contribution to an increasingly prominent public debate.
By:  
Imprint:   Forum
Country of Publication:   United Kingdom
Dimensions:   Height: 216mm,  Width: 135mm, 
ISBN:   9781800755598
ISBN 10:   1800755597
Pages:   224
Publication Date:  
Audience:   General/trade ,  ELT Advanced
Format:   Hardback
Publisher's Status:   Active

Nigel Beggar is Emeritus Regius Professor in the University of Oxford and Fellow of Christ Church. He founded Oxford the MacDonald Institute for the study of Ethics and Empire. He is now a Fellow of the St Cross College Oxford - author, lecturer and broadcaster throughout the English speaking world. After many acclaimed academic books, he wrote and published the bestselling Colonialism.

Reviews for Reparations: Slavery and the Tyranny of Imaginary Guilt

'A major contribution to the long-running debate on reparations for the British role in slavery and the slave trade; essential reading for all participants' - David Eltis, Professor Emeritus of History, Emory University 'In this compelling and timely book, Nigel Biggar argues that calls for reparations over colonialism or slavery are hollow, rooted in a shallow reading of history, bad faith, and – arguably – political opportunism. Reparations is a strong plea to see Britain’s past more clearly and honestly' - Tirthankar Roy, Professor, Economic History, London School of Economics ‘I hope Professor Biggar’s compelling case against reparations helps move us beyond the illusion that payouts can resolve the challenges facing Black communities – and towards the real work that drives lasting progress’ - Adaobi Tricia Nwaubani, author of ‘My great-grandfather, the Nigerian slave-trader’, The New Yorker, 2018 Praise for Colonialism: ‘A fascinating read, informative, surprising and written with panache and clarity’ - The Times ‘Carries the intellectual force of a Javeline antitank missile. Colonialism is no apologia for empire… but calls for balance…Biggar acknowledges wickedness in our nation but his version of history calls us to accept the messiness and moral compromises inherent in liberalism’ - Sunday Times ‘The book on the morality of the British Empire, a kind of Encyclopaedia Pacis Britannicae…. a thoughtful, compelling text’ - Sunday Telegraph ‘An important, timely and brave book…the first serious counter blast against the hysterical and ahistorical orthodoxy that has placed such a stranglehold on our public discourse on the British Empire, and as such will prove to be an indispensable handbook in the battles to come. It is also exceedingly well written and compellingly argued’ - The Critic


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