You Tube Theology

SoundCloud version: https://soundcloud.com/modern-dissent/deconstructing-decolonisation-nigel-biggar If you wish to support our talk series and online content, please consider donating: https://donate.stripe.com/3cs4j09gE7H4fPGeUU Second talk of Modern Dissent series, given by Prof. Nigel Biggar on Thursday, 27th June 2024 at The Art Workers' Guild in London 00:00:00 Introduction 00:08:53 Talk 00:55:32 Q&A # Speaker Nigel Biggar is Emeritus Regius Professor of Moral and Pastoral Theology at the University of Oxford, a post in which he served from 2007 to 2022. He is the author of the acclaimed books In Defence of War, What's Wrong with Rights?, and most recently Colonialism: A Moral Reckoning. He has also written articles for various newspapers and journals, including The Times, The Telegraph, and The Spectator. # Topic Deconstructing Decolonisation: what it is, why it matters, and why it's (mostly) wrong The 'decolonisation' movement assumes that the colonial record of the West is simply a litany of racism, exploitation, and oppression of 'black' victims by 'white' victimisers. As a matter of historical fact, this is false. But when 'decolonisers' are confronted with contrary evidence, they rarely react with sceptical curiosity or robust argument. Instead, anyone criticising the claims of the decolonisers can expect to meet with anger, insults and outrage mobs. Why is this? If the decolonisation movement isn't driven by a rational appraisal of the merits of empire, what is it being driven by?