Prisoners of Freedom: Human Rights and the African PoorIn this vivid ethnography, Harri Englund investigates how ideas of freedom impede struggles against poverty and injustice in emerging democracies. Reaching beyond a narrow focus on the national elite, Prisoners of Freedom shows how foreign aid and human rights activism hamper the pursuit of democratic citizenship in Africa. The book explores how activists’ aspirations of self-improvement, pursued under harsh economic conditions, find in the human rights discourse a new means to distinguish oneself from the poor masses. Among expatriates, the emphasis on abstract human rights avoids confrontations with the political and business elites. Drawing on long-term research among the Malawian poor, Englund brings to life the personal circumstances of Malawian human rights activists, their expatriate benefactors, and the urban and rural poor as he develops a fresh perspective on freedom—one that recognizes the significance of debt, obligation, and civil virtues. |
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abstract Africa anthu appeared Bakili Muluzi Banda's Blantyre challenge chapter Chichewa chifukwa Chikondi Chinsapo Chinyanja CHRR citizenship civic education officers civil society clients colonial concept context critical critique cultural debate democratic demokalase discussed dismissed donors economic elites employers Englund ethnographic example expatriate exploitation fieldwork focus grassroots grievances human rights activists human rights discourse human rights NGOs impoverished individual freedoms inequalities institutions issue kuti kwacha labor relations language laws legal aid Legal Clinic legal officers liberal democracy Lilongwe majority Malawi and Zambia Malawi Congress Party Malawian mob justice moral panic multiparty Muluzi Mzimba ndalama neoliberal ngati NICE NICE's ntchito officer's officers and volunteers organizations participation particular Patel police political and civil poor popular postcolonial problems regime responsibility rhetoric rumors salary social subjects Television Malawi thangata tion township translation ufulu ufulu wachibadwidwe University Press vendors villages workers workshop Zambia