"Rebellion" as a Civic Duty: A Genealogy of Citizenship Theory in the History of British Political Thought

2020/09/07

It has been a long time since the so-called "history boom" was first proclaimed. In this era where books do not sell well, history-related books frequently appear on bestseller lists. On the other hand, in the field of education, there is a persistent movement toward reducing the content of history subjects or removing them from the list of compulsory subjects. These two phenomena, which appear contradictory at first glance, are actually quite consistent. That is to say, history is meant to remain in the status of a "hobby." Why is it necessary to go out of one's way to learn about the ancient and medieval periods, which are eras inferior to the present? From the Whig view of history to the "End of History" thesis, liberals have theoretically supported such views of history and disseminated them to the general public.

Furthermore, "criticism" is avoided in this country. The cliché equation of "opposition party = criticism = anti-Japanese" has captured the hearts of many people. However, in 19th-century Britain, there was a thinker who argued that criticism is necessary precisely because one loves their country. This is T.H. Green, the starting point of this book. Blind obedience by "loyal subjects" destroys the state. In contrast, "intelligent patriots" who seek to develop the state have a "duty of resistance." Such arguments, made with ancient Rome in mind, are symbolized by the figures of the republican senators surrounding Caesar in Camuccini's "The Death of Caesar," which graces the cover of this book.

Harold Laski, who appears in the second half of this book, received much from intellectual predecessors such as Green and Hobhouse. What, then, separates them? It is Laski's view of history. A view of history that unconditionally praises the present leads to "thoughtless obedience." To remain a citizen, one must constantly relativize the modern era from a historical perspective. History is a series of choices made by finite human beings. Among those choices, some may have been right and others wrong. And errors must be corrected. The "duty of rebellion" is what guarantees remaining a citizen (citizenship).

The ten years it took to write this book were by no means short for the author. I hope that the results of the ten years I dedicated to history will reach as many readers as possible.

"Rebellion" as a Civic Duty: A Genealogy of Citizenship Theory in the History of British Political Thought

Yusuke Umezawa

Keio University Press

344 pages, 3,200 yen (excluding tax)

*Affiliations and titles are as of the time of publication.