Charles Mills, Race, and the Social Contract Tradition Flashcards
What is Charles Mills’ central argument regarding the social contract tradition?
Mills asserts that traditional social contract theory is flawed because it fails to acknowledge the reality of group domination based on race, gender, and class. He proposes a “domination contract” to explain how these forms of oppression have been historically embedded in society
How does the “domination contract” differ from the traditional social contract?
The traditional social contract posits a hypothetical agreement among equal individuals leading to a just society. Mills’ domination contract, however, recognizes that real societies are built on inequality and coercion, where dominant groups impose their will on subordinate groups.
How does Mills use the “domination contract” to explain the historical experiences of racial minorities?
He argues that race is a social construct used to justify white supremacy. The racial contract is an agreement among whites to establish and maintain their dominance over non-whites, leading to their systemic exclusion and oppression.
What evidence does Mills cite to support his claims of racial domination and white supremacy?
He draws on historical and sociological research demonstrating the central role of race in shaping American society. Historians like Leon Litwack and George Fredrickson emphasize that the US was founded on white supremacy and black subordination.
How does Mills’ critique of the social contract connect to Carole Pateman’s “Sexual Contract”?
Both Mills and Pateman argue that the social contract is exclusionary. While Mills focuses on racial exclusion, Pateman highlights the exclusion of women. Both theorists challenge the idea of a universally applicable social contract by showing how it has historically served the interests of dominant groups.
How does Mills believe the domination contract can be used for normative purposes?
By exposing the historical injustices embedded in the domination contract, Mills aims to promote social justice. He believes recognizing these injustices is the first step towards dismantling white supremacy and achieving a truly equitable society.
How does Mills suggest we can dismantle white supremacy and achieve racial justice?
Mills believes that achieving racial justice requires addressing both the “politics of redistribution” and the “politics of recognition.” This means not only rectifying economic disparities caused by historical exploitation but also challenging the social and cultural norms that perpetuate white supremacy. He suggests:
Ending discrimination and unfair advantage stemming from past discrimination.
Reparations for past wrongs.
Public policy measures to reconstitute societal structures.
Rethinking national narratives and educational syllabi.
Whites relinquishing their “whiteness” and understanding the basis of oppression.
