The Uses of Imperial Citizenship

The British and French Empires

Jack Harrington

Contemporary citizenship is haunted by the ghost of imperialism. Yet conceptions of European citizenship fail to explain issues that are inclusive of the impact of empire today, and are integral to the reality of citizenship; from the notion of ‘minorities’ to the assertion of citizenship rights by migrants and the withdrawal of fundamental rights from particular groups.

The Uses of Imperial Citizenship examines the ways in which ideas of citizenship and subjecthood were applied in societies under imperial rule in order to expand our understanding of these concepts. Taking examples from the experience of the British and French empires, the book examines the ways in which claims to the rights and obligations of imperial subjects by otherwise marginalised people – from women activists to ‘native’ newspaper editors – shaped the history of British and French concepts of citizenship. Through extensive analysis of colonial and diplomatic archives, parliamentary debates and commissions, journalism and contemporary works on colonial administration, the book explores how governments and people in colonial societies saw themselves within, on the frontiers of, and outside of imperial notions of citizenship and subjecthood.

Rowman & Littlefield Publishers / Rowman & Littlefield International

Pages: 112 • Trim: 6 x 9

978-1-78348-920-6 • Hardback • July 2020 • $140.00 • (£108.00)

978-1-78348-921-3 • Paperback • March 2022 • $38.00 • (£30.00)

978-1-78348-922-0 • eBook • July 2020 • $36.00 • (£30.00)

Series: Frontiers of the Political: Doing International Politics

Subjects: Political Science / Imperialism, History / Modern / General

The Uses of Imperial Citizenship

The British and French Empires

Hardback

Paperback

eBook

Summary

Contemporary citizenship is haunted by the ghost of imperialism. Yet conceptions of European citizenship fail to explain issues that are inclusive of the impact of empire today, and are integral to the reality of citizenship; from the notion of ‘minorities’ to the assertion of citizenship rights by migrants and the withdrawal of fundamental rights from particular groups.

The Uses of Imperial Citizenship examines the ways in which ideas of citizenship and subjecthood were applied in societies under imperial rule in order to expand our understanding of these concepts. Taking examples from the experience of the British and French empires, the book examines the ways in which claims to the rights and obligations of imperial subjects by otherwise marginalised people – from women activists to ‘native’ newspaper editors – shaped the history of British and French concepts of citizenship. Through extensive analysis of colonial and diplomatic archives, parliamentary debates and commissions, journalism and contemporary works on colonial administration, the book explores how governments and people in colonial societies saw themselves within, on the frontiers of, and outside of imperial notions of citizenship and subjecthood.

Details

Rowman & Littlefield Publishers / Rowman & Littlefield International

Pages: 112 • Trim: 6 x 9

978-1-78348-920-6 • Hardback • July 2020 • $140.00 • (£108.00)

978-1-78348-921-3 • Paperback • March 2022 • $38.00 • (£30.00)

978-1-78348-922-0 • eBook • July 2020 • $36.00 • (£30.00)

Series: Frontiers of the Political: Doing International Politics

Subjects: Political Science / Imperialism, History / Modern / General

Author

Jack Harrington manages Humanities and Social Science funding at the Wellcome Trust.

Table of Contents

Introduction

1. Citizenship Between Nation and Empire

2. Freedom of the Press, Liberalism and the ‘Garrison-State’ in British India

3. Citizens and Subjects in the British and French Empires

4. Britain and the French Invasion of Algeria 1830 to 1870

5. Subjects Across Empires

Conclusion

Bibliography

The Uses of Imperial Citizenship

The British and French Empires

Jack Harrington

The Uses of Imperial Citizenship

The British and French Empires

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