Overview

In face of historical injustices such as war, colonialism, slavery, and genocides, what responsibilities, if any, do the present generations owe – and to whom are such responsibilities owed? Drawing upon methods of political theory, empirical politics, legal philosophy, and applied ethics, this book advances the novel account of Collective Moral Debt Reparative Justice (CMDRJ). It aims to establish that descendants of victims inherit claims to reparation by which they can hold inheritors of perpetrators responsible for discharging. This argument applies particularly well to collectives meeting the threshold for group agency and complicit agents. Not only does the concept of “moral debt” serve as an emphatic metaphor for the distinctive ways by which perpetrators and victims, descendants and inheritors are connected – it also provides the compelling explanation hitherto missing as for why claims of reparative justice do not go away merely in virtue of the passage of time. The book should interest scholars and practitioners alike and has been written for those who are interested in what we owe others in relation to our past.

Full Product Details

9781041080718

Table of Contents

Reviews

“Brian Wong’s book offers a spirited discussion of historical debts tied to colonialism. While such debts may not require literal repayment, Wong pushes back against the excuse that colonialism has some positive legacy. This reasoning overlooks the enduring inequities wrought by exploitation. Blending philosophical rigor with deeply personal insight, the book challenges readers to confront uncomfortable truths about history and responsibility. A compelling and rewarding read by a young scholar, who invites us to reflect on reconciling the past while striving for a just future.” Prof. Christine Loh, Chief Development Strategist at the Institute for the Environment, Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST)

Author Information

Brian Yue Shun Wong is an assistant professor in philosophy at the University of Hong Kong. His research examines the intersection of geopolitics, political philosophy, and technology, with particular interests in authoritarian regimes and historical injustices. Brian is a Rhodes Scholar and graduated with a MA, MPhil, and DPhil all from the University of Oxford.

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