The contributions in this volume systematically draw on Orlando Patterson's sociology of slavery and the European ideal of freedom. The authors do not see slavery primarily as a form of labour. Rather, both social events enable their specific relations of power and dependency. Against this background, they argue for a socio-historical approach to capture the dynamics of the different dependencies of slavery and labour.
During the book discussion, Theresa Wobbe, Claudia Jarzebowski and Eva Marie Lehner will aim to shed light on the intertwining of labour, freedom, and slavery by examining labour relations based on violence and coercion.
We invite scholars from the BCDSS and beyond to participate in this discussion, and in particular, we encourage BCDSS students to share their ideas and questions about Orlando Patterson's concept of social death and natal alienation.
The event will be held in English.