Settler Colonialism as a Structure? Structural Logics, Long-Term Patterns, and Critical Reflections

Since Patrick Wolfe’s groundbreaking work on settler colonialism’s logic of elimination, the field has rapidly expanded, sparking debate about its origins, characteristics, and global impact. This volume advances the discussion by offering a long-term, comparative analysis of settler colonialism as a structural phenomenon. Drawing on diverse case studies – from ancient Mediterranean societies to contemporary visions of settling Mars – contributors critically examine key questions: What defines settler colonialism? How does access to land shape its dynamics? What socio-political and cultural forces underpin settler expansion?

By broadening the geographic and temporal scope beyond familiar contexts, this book challenges established paradigms and invites fresh perspectives on a complex and multi-layered concept. Ideal for scholars and students in history, political science, Indigenous studies, and global studies, this volume encourages ongoing dialogue and provides new tools for understanding settler colonialism’s enduring influence on past and present global relations.

With contributions by Jeremia Pelgrom, Clemens Six, Jitse Daniels, Dinah Wouters, Mark L. Thompson, Maarten Zwiers, Lorenzo Veracini, Karène Sanchez Summerer,  Yair Wallach, Arthur Weststeijn, Tesse D. Stek, Cyrus Schayegh, Evan Jewel, Hanneke Stuit, Michael Oberg and Heather Sharkey.

Publisher: University of Groningen Press
Broerstraat 4 9712 CP Groningen
The Netherlands

Cover design: Bas Ekkers – 247design
Typesetting and production support : LINE UP boek en media bv 

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