Burden or Benefit?

Helen Gilbert is Professor of Theatre at Royal Holloway, University of London. She is author of Sightlines: Race, Gender, and Nation in Contemporary Australian Theatre and Post-Colonial Drama: Theory, Practice, Politics.Chris Tiffin teaches in the School of English, Media Studies, and Art History at the University of Queensland and is editor of De-Scribing Empire, South Pacific Images, and South Pacific Stories.

• 1. Introduction: What's Wrong with Benevolence?, Chris Tiffin and Helen Gilbert2. A Short History of Benevolence, Patrick BrantlingerI. Colonial Burdens?3. Thomas Fowell Buxton and the Networks of British Humanitarianism, Alan Lester 4. Settler Colonialism, Utility, Romance: E. G. Wakefield's Letter from Sydney, Lisa O'Connell5. Benevolence, Slavery, and the Periodicals, Chris Tiffin6. "This Nineteenth Century of Progress and Humanity": The Life and Times of Frederick Weld, Leigh Dale7. Women, Philanthropy and Imperialism in Nineteenth-century Britain, Sarah Richardson8. Blixen's Africa: Wonderland of the Self, Kirsten Holst PetersenII. Contemporary Benefits?9. From Benevolence to Partnership: The Persistence of Colonial Legacies in Aotearoa-New Zealand, Chris Prentice 10. Refusing Benevolence: Gandhi, Nehru, and the Ethics of Postcolonial Relations, Rajeswari Sunder Rajan 11. Rescuing African Women and Girls: Benevolence and the Civilizing Mission in Anti-FGM Discourse, Wairimu Njambi 12. Benevolence and Humiliation: Thinking Migrants, Integration, and Security in Europe, Prem Kumar Rajaram 13. Hearts, Minds, and Wetlands: Stakeholders and Ecosystem Restoration from Florida's Everglades to the Mesopotamian Marshlands, William E. O'Brien Notes on Contributors Index

"This book examines the evolution of the ideas and practices of benevolence, chiefly in the context of British imperialism, from the late eighteenth century to the present. The editors raise philosophical questions about the relationship between benevolence and self-interest, concluding that these concepts 'are not incompatible in the quest for a better world'. The collected essays cover more than a dozen examples of practical and theoretical benevolence, from the anti-slavery movement to modern activities such as refugee asylum, opposition to female genital mutilation and restoring the wetlands in post-Saddam Iraq. Of particular interest to Philanthropy UK readers will be Alan Lester's chapter on British humanitarianism and Sarah Richardson's chapter on women, philanthropy and imperialism in early nineteenth century Britain."—Beth Breeze, Publications Editor , Philanthropy UK Nwsltr, September 2008, Issue 34"This book examines the evolution of the ideas and practices of benevolence, chiefly in the context of British imperialism, from the late eighteenth century to the present. . . . The collected essays cover more than a dozen examples of practical and theoretical benevolence, from the anti-slavery movement to modern activities such as refugee asylum, opposition to female genital mutilation and restoring the wetlands in post-Saddam Iraq.September 2008"—Beth Breeze, Publications Editor"...Burden or Benefit: Imperial Benevolence and Its Legacies will prove of interest to many students and scholars of British imperialism who will welcome this impressive work that reinterprets the complexities of the imperial past and sheds light on the present legacies.Jan. 2010"—Dr Andrew Diniejko, Warsaw University, Poland"A strong volume. . . . The book is accessible and will meet the needs of faculty who teach on empire, colonialism, philanthropy, charity, and related subjects."—Steven Heydemann, Georgetown University