The Racial Contract

The Racial Contract by Charles W. Mills, published by Cornell University Press in 2022, is a 25th Anniversary edition that spans 171 pages. This work critically examines classic Western social contract theory through the lens of European expansionism and racism over the past five centuries. Mills argues that this unacknowledged “contract” has established a framework for global European domination, creating distinctions between “whites” and “non-whites” and shaping moral theories and psychological perspectives.

In this edition, which includes a foreword by Tommy Shelbie and a new preface by the author, readers will find a thorough exploration of how societal structures perpetuate white supremacy. The book delves into the ideological conditioning and violence that enforce this system on non-whites, making it a significant contribution to discussions on history, social history, and minority studies. The Racial Contract continues to provoke thought and inspire dialogue about the intersections of race and political philosophy.