The Darker Nations: A People's History of the Third World

by Vijay Prashad Narrated by Neil Shah

Overview

Here, from a brilliant young writer, is a paradigm-shifting history of both a utopian concept and global movement-the idea of the Third World. The Darker Nations traces the intellectual origins and the political history of the twentieth century attempt to knit together the world's impoverished countries in opposition to the United States and Soviet spheres of influence in the decades following World War II.



Spanning every continent of the global South, Vijay Prashad's fascinating narrative takes us from the birth of postcolonial nations after World War II to the downfall and corruption of nationalist regimes. A breakthrough book of cutting-edge scholarship, it includes vivid portraits of Third World giants like India's Nehru, Egypt's Nasser, and Indonesia's Sukarno-as well as scores of extraordinary but now-forgotten intellectuals, artists, and freedom fighters. The Darker Nations restores to memory the vibrant though flawed idea of the Third World, whose demise, Prashad ultimately argues, has produced a much impoverished international political arena.

Editorial Reviews

Publishers Weekly

Scholarly but accessible, this history of Third World intellectual thought and politics captures the shared ideals, institutions and strategies that have united the Latin American countries and the new Asian and African states that have stood outside U.S. and Soviet spheres of influence since WWII. This Third World project did more than steer a neutral course between the nuclear-armed contenders of the Cold War era, claims Prashad (The Karma of Brown Folk). Anticolonial nationalism was also the basis for an alternative world order premised on peace, autonomy and cooperation. But Third World unity was also fragile. The optimism of newly independent nation-states that shaped the United Nations into their principal global platform gave way after the 1960s to frustration, conflict, compromised sovereignty and diminishing expectations. Prashad reveals the close interrelations among such obstacles as the persistence of old social hierarchies, the mobilization of religious views and reinvented tribalism, and punishing debt burdens designed to maintain Western hegemony over a "developing" world. Indeed, he argues, "cultural nationalism" easily becomes "the Trojan-horse of IMF-driven globalization." While the subtitle is misleading-Prashad necessarily concentrates on towering figures like India's Nehru, Indonesia's Sukarno and Egypt's Nasser-the book offers a vital assertion of an alternative future, grounded in an anti-imperial vision. (Feb.) Copyright 2006 Reed Business Information.

From the Publisher

Praise for The Darker Nations:
“A global romp . . . filled with revealing anecdotes . . . [and] a handy alternative history of our planet in the post-World War II era.”
—Amit Pal, The Progressive

“Vijay Prashad is one of the great radical intellectuals of our times, and this book is essential reading for militants everywhere.”
—Irvin Jim, general secretary of the National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa (NUMSA)

“Why isn’t everybody astonished and inspired by the Third World Project? Prashad traces the creative connection of many specific struggles through solidarity forged by way of conferences and institutions, parties and revolutions. Though The Darker Nations charts the historical geography of a future that did not survive its adversaries, this lively book inspires curiosity about the here and now. Around the world people energize remnant infrastructures and fresh formations with shape, stretch, purpose, and so much beauty.”
—Ruth Wilson Gilmore, author of Abolition Geography

“The Darker Nations is the first comprehensive political history of the Third World as a concept and as a project. It is essential background for rethinking this history and constructing a viable political program today.”
—Immanuel Wallerstein

“Darker nations, brighter nations: this book helps to uncover the shining worlds hidden under official history and dominant media.”
—Eduardo Galeano

“An original and challenging work. . . . Prashad surveys the history of the Third World with passionate engagement.”
—Shashi Tharoor, author of Nehru: The Invention of India

“A wonderful, thoughtful, and stimulating book.”
—Paul Gilroy

“Why isn’t everybody astonished and inspired by the Third World Project? Prashad traces the creative connection of many specific struggles through solidarity forged by way of conferences and institutions, parties and revolutions. Though The Darker Nations charts the historical geography of a future that did not survive its adversaries, this lively book inspires curiosity about the here and now. Around the world people energize remnant infrastructures and fresh formations with shape, stretch, purpose, and so much beauty.”
—Ruth Wilson Gilmore, author of Abolition Geography

Product Details

BN ID:	2940172826146
Publisher:	Tantor Audio
Publication date:	10/19/2021
Edition description:	Unabridged

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