Slavery and Social Death

In this comprehensive audiobook, Orlando Patterson explores the intricate dynamics of slavery across sixty-six societies, emphasizing its parasitic nature as a relationship of violent domination between master and slave. Challenging traditional legalistic views that regard slaves as mere property, Patterson highlights the sociological, symbolic, and ideological factors that shape the institution of slavery. Utilizing interdisciplinary methods, he examines cultural, political, and psychological elements, revealing universal structures and distinct cross-cultural variations in the slave trade and the status of freed individuals.