Nick Spencer speaks with Dean and Fellow of Trinity College, Cambridge, Michael Banner. 26/11/2024

The demand for post–colonial nations to pay reparations to, and for their treatment of, their former colonies has grown increasingly loud over recent years. And although many dismiss the idea as textbook liberal guilt and bandwagon wokery, there are some serious claims behind it.

The topic kicks up some big moral issues. You can’t talk about colonial reparations without working through what you think about moral responsibility, collective identity, and the effect of time on liability, all of which reflect on the underlying question of how we see ourselves.

So, what is the nature of our relationship to other countries, to the past and to whatever moral norms we pride ourselves on?

Purchase Michael’s book here.

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