The Racial Contract (book)

"The Racial Contract" by Charles W. Mills argues that traditional social contracts, which underpin modern democracy and equality, are built on racial biases that privilege whites and marginalize people of color. It suggests that history and institutions are shaped by a racial agreement that sustains systemic racism, often unseen or unacknowledged. This contract justified colonization, slavery, and segregation, creating a racial hierarchy. Mills' work challenges the idea of a neutral, fair social contract, emphasizing instead that racial injustice is a foundational, ongoing element of societal structure.