Political Thought on Uprisings: Essays on Just Rebellion

(Hardback)

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This book explores the philosophical and political dimensions of rebellion, revolts, and revolutions by examining and comparing various cases, from multiple cultural perspectives throughout history. Chan utilizes these various cases to explore the range of differing principles, rationales, and ethics underlying what constitutes a "just rebellion" and explain the motivating thought behind rebellions.

Reviews

Stephen Chan offers a deeply intellectual (and entertaining!) exploration of the reasons for and justifications of rebellion. From materialism to magic, from Satan to Bishop Romero, from Mao to Maori, Chan offers a rich background for considering the roots of rebellion. I strongly recommend this book for anyone interested in a deeper understanding of just rebellion. * Bruce Wharton, Formerly US Ambassador to Zimbabwe and Acting US Under Secretary of State *
Stephen Chan's Political Thought on Uprisings is a masterful examination of the philosophical and political science perspectives on just rebellion. Drawing on five decades of scholarship and a vast body of literature, Chan expertly integrates viewpoints from political science theory, history, theology, and philosophy. Elegantly written with rigour and exceptional clarity. His analysis spans uprisings in Latin America, Asia, the Middle East, and Africa, providing a nuanced and authoritative account that is an indispensable resource for scholars, students, and anyone interested in political thought. * Arkebe Oqubay, former Senior Minister in the Prime Minister of Ethiopia's Office and British Academy Global Professor, SOAS University of London *
Written in a style that is distinctly characteristic of the author, this is an eclectic, intellectually wide-ranging, and thought-provoking treatise on rebellion. Covering philosophical and cultural perspectives from across the world, the authors remit is to challenge singular understandings of this complex phenomenon or those that all too easily apply taken for granted representations of those who rebel and their motives. Focusing on the politics and ethics of rebellion, the authors long held argument is all too clear; that to understand rebellion in global terms is to situate it in realms of meaning that point to distinct discourses of justification that can form the basis not just of comparison, but crucially, of conversation. * Vivienne Jabri, Professor of International Politics, Kings College London, UK *

Author Bio

Stephen Chan was awarded the OBE by Queen Elizabeth in 2010 For services to Africa and Higher Education the same year he was awarded the International Studies Association accolade Eminent Scholar in Global Development. Earlier a newspaper editor, literary publisher, and an international civil servant stationed in Africa, he has held responsible positions including deanships at three British universities; held the George Soros Chair at the Central European University and the Konrad Adenauer Chair at the elite Palestinian Bir Zeit University, among a string of other named and honorific appointments. He is Professor of World Politics at SOAS University of London, remains seconded to diplomatic engagements in Africa and the Middle East and heads the philanthropic Kwok Meil Wah Foundation. He has published thirty-six scholarly books, five volumes of poetry, and three novels.