Victims of Progress

by John H. Bodley

Victims of Progress, now in its sixth edition, offers a compelling account of how technology and development affect indigenous peoples throughout the world. Bodley’s expansive look at the struggle between small-scale indigenous societies, and the colonists and corporate developers who have infringed their territories reaches from 1800 into today. He examines major issues of intervention such as social engineering, economic development, self-determination, health and disease, global warming, and ecocide. Small-scale societies, Bodley convincingly demonstrates, have survived by organizing politically to defend their basic human rights.

Providing a provocative context in which to think about civilization and its costs—shedding light on how we are all victims of progress—the sixth edition features expanded discussion of “uprising politics,” Tebtebba (a particularly active indigenous organization), and voluntary isolation. A wholly new chapter devotes full coverage to the costs of global warming to indigenous peoples in the Pacific and the Arctic. Finally, new appendixes guide readers to recent protest petitions as well as online resources and videos.

Genres: Anthropology, Nonfiction, Politics, Sociology, International Development

395 pages, Paperback

First published August 7, 1998

Reviews

[Justine]

Eye opening, even as an indigenous person whose peoples were discussed in this, I was blown away by the deeper understanding of colonisation and it's continued effects. Well worth the read

[Macy Hare]

Had to read this for uni. Wow learned a lot

[Chandra]

Read some of it, then put on pause to pursue other leads.

[Daniel Alexander]

A seriously fantastic introduction to the anthropological themes that surround indigenous peoples. I don't know how many times this book as been referenced as a part of a multitude of essays, but it was well worth the purchase. I'll definitely be using this again in future.

If you're interested in the anthropology as an area of study (or even as an area of interest) I'd highly recommend reading this book as an introduction to the field of study.