Pirate Enlightenment, or the Real Libertalia
Description
Drawing on his early anthropological research in Madagascar, this posthumous work examines the Zana-Malata, descendants of pirates who settled on the island in the eighteenth century. Their history reveals a society shaped by experimentation in self-government, social equality, and political freedom—challenging familiar assumptions about the origins of democracy and Enlightenment thought. Blending anthropology, history, and political reflection, the book reconsiders how ideas often labeled distinctly European emerged through cross-cultural encounters and overlooked non-European traditions. It ultimately invites readers to imagine alternative forms of social order and more hopeful possibilities for the future.
Available Editions
paperback
Farrar, Straus & Giroux
Published Jan 1, 2023
ISBN: 9780374610197
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Details
First Published
2023
Language
eng
Content Warnings
Content and trigger warnings for Pirate Enlightenment, or the Real Libertalia by David Graeber.