The Racial Contract

Charles W. Mills's The Racial Contract challenges foundational Western political philosophy by arguing that the liberal social contract, conventionally presented as universal, is in fact a racial contract. This unacknowledged agreement, Mills demonstrates, establishes a global system of white supremacy, defining who counts as a full person and who does not. He reveals how this tacit contract influences moral theory, shapes moral psychology, and is enforced through ideological conditioning and violence, creating a stratified world that benefits one group at the expense of others.

The book compels readers to reconsider the historical and ongoing structures of power that have shaped modern societies. By exposing the racial underpinnings of supposedly raceless theories, Mills provides a framework for understanding how white supremacy functions as a political system, rather than a mere aberration. Engaging with this work offers a critical lens through which to analyze contemporary inequities and the enduring legacy of racial domination, urging a deeper understanding of justice and political obligation.