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A Short History of Power: How societies create and sustain oppression, and how to resist it
'You could not ask for a more eloquent guide than this book. Essential' Sathnam Sanghera
An eye-opening book about how societies are designed to support those in power, at the expense of those without it.
COLONIAL POWER
In the 1950s, over 10,000 Kenyans were killed by the British during the Mau Mau uprising against a government determined to install a sympathetic post-independence regime and continue to exploit the resources of its former colonies.
PATRIARCHAL POWER
After the Iranian revolution in 1979, the Islamic Republic systematically removed freedoms from women, relegating them to second-class citizens in the name of religious teachings.
EDUCATIONAL POWER
There have been fifty-seven prime ministers of the United Kingdom, of whom forty-three have been privately educated, creating a society built by and for the privileged.
These are just some of the stories through which Dr Jack Davy illustrates the key factors that allow societies to create and sustain oppressive systems. Some are historical. Others have played out right before our eyes over the last decade. All are rooted in the systems in which we all participate. Read this book, and take action.
'Sharp and insightful. Jack Davy makes complex ideas accessible in this powerful book about the roots of inequality' Caroline Dodds Pennock, author of On Savage How Indigenous Americans Discovered Europe
'A deeply humane book with true hope in its message' Ray Mattinson, Blackwells
An eye-opening book about how societies are designed to support those in power, at the expense of those without it.
COLONIAL POWER
In the 1950s, over 10,000 Kenyans were killed by the British during the Mau Mau uprising against a government determined to install a sympathetic post-independence regime and continue to exploit the resources of its former colonies.
PATRIARCHAL POWER
After the Iranian revolution in 1979, the Islamic Republic systematically removed freedoms from women, relegating them to second-class citizens in the name of religious teachings.
EDUCATIONAL POWER
There have been fifty-seven prime ministers of the United Kingdom, of whom forty-three have been privately educated, creating a society built by and for the privileged.
These are just some of the stories through which Dr Jack Davy illustrates the key factors that allow societies to create and sustain oppressive systems. Some are historical. Others have played out right before our eyes over the last decade. All are rooted in the systems in which we all participate. Read this book, and take action.
'Sharp and insightful. Jack Davy makes complex ideas accessible in this powerful book about the roots of inequality' Caroline Dodds Pennock, author of On Savage How Indigenous Americans Discovered Europe
'A deeply humane book with true hope in its message' Ray Mattinson, Blackwells
281 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 21, 2022
16 people are currently reading
219 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
June 17, 2023
I must confess I wasn't fully sure what I was getting myself into with We the Oppressors, anyone familiar with my reading history will know that I don't shy away from topics like systematic prejudice, social injustice and economic inequality; so this book seemed in my lane.
The initial pages promised an analysis of how societies 'oppress' each other and peoples within but also how this is not always a black and white issue, but more of a requirement of how complex societies ebb and flow.
Well the meat of the book IMO didn't really cover much 'white' or 'grey' area. I can only describe the contents of the book as a long series of terrible events that highlighted various forms of oppression both more historic, and recent.
Now just to be clear, this didn't make for a bad book. It was eye-opening, unflinching and painful reading. But it was also relevant, significant and worth a look if you can stomach it yourself. The final pages addressed the strange point that much of the oppression described in the book, while certainty often centred around a particular main villain, was not a function of singular evil actions, but rather part of how large groups of humans operate (to be honest that's probably less reassuring in some respects, however painful accuracy is one way we fight atrocity).
So I wouldn't necessarily read this book right of the shelf if you wanted to begin a journey to better understand say prejudice or injustice. Perhaps a book like "The Uses and Abuses of History" would be a good starting point. But I think We the Oppressors is well worth a read if you're ready for it.
The initial pages promised an analysis of how societies 'oppress' each other and peoples within but also how this is not always a black and white issue, but more of a requirement of how complex societies ebb and flow.
Well the meat of the book IMO didn't really cover much 'white' or 'grey' area. I can only describe the contents of the book as a long series of terrible events that highlighted various forms of oppression both more historic, and recent.
Now just to be clear, this didn't make for a bad book. It was eye-opening, unflinching and painful reading. But it was also relevant, significant and worth a look if you can stomach it yourself. The final pages addressed the strange point that much of the oppression described in the book, while certainty often centred around a particular main villain, was not a function of singular evil actions, but rather part of how large groups of humans operate (to be honest that's probably less reassuring in some respects, however painful accuracy is one way we fight atrocity).
So I wouldn't necessarily read this book right of the shelf if you wanted to begin a journey to better understand say prejudice or injustice. Perhaps a book like "The Uses and Abuses of History" would be a good starting point. But I think We the Oppressors is well worth a read if you're ready for it.
February 12, 2026
Not a book to rush. It systematically and delicately unpicks oppression in its various guises - religious, educational, gender based, racist, ecological and economic (and others!). Of course, they interlink, and of course power is at the root of all oppressions. Who has it, who wants it, and who and how it can be maintained.
I found the case studies fascinating (particularly the Venezuelan one considering recent political events) and feel more grounded in theory in this topic.
As his final words say, "don't look away." Oppression occurs all around us, let's learn to see it, point it out and challenge it when we can.
I found the case studies fascinating (particularly the Venezuelan one considering recent political events) and feel more grounded in theory in this topic.
As his final words say, "don't look away." Oppression occurs all around us, let's learn to see it, point it out and challenge it when we can.
January 21, 2024
I came to this book already fairly ideologically aligned with it, so in terms of it's broader political philosophy it was preaching to the converted. It offered my some examples and details I was unfamiliar with, so provided food for thought through those.
It generally did so with a readable writing style and clear flow of arguments. The only chapter where it faltered a bit was chapter 10, covering oppression on the basis of gender. In the introduction it touched on the oppression (or encouragement of oppression) of one group of women by another - trans exclusionary feminists vs. trans women. Diving into that issue in the same manner as in other chapters would have been interesting, as it's an example of how people can end up allying with their own enemies against a politically weaker group with whom they have more common ground and could profitably work with, for fear of loosing hard-won rights and privileges. Instead the chapter swerves to discuss another (important and interesting) form of gender-based oppression. The upshot is that this chapter lacks cohesion and a clear argument where the rest of the book is fairly reliable in that regard.
Minor gripes aside, I'm glad I read this even if the only solutions it can offer at the end of the book are: be observant, open to education, avoid being part of the problem and try to be part of the solution. It's not exactly a resounding call to arms, and is somewhat depressing given the scale of issues at play, but I suppose it has the advantage of being an achievable aim.
It generally did so with a readable writing style and clear flow of arguments. The only chapter where it faltered a bit was chapter 10, covering oppression on the basis of gender. In the introduction it touched on the oppression (or encouragement of oppression) of one group of women by another - trans exclusionary feminists vs. trans women. Diving into that issue in the same manner as in other chapters would have been interesting, as it's an example of how people can end up allying with their own enemies against a politically weaker group with whom they have more common ground and could profitably work with, for fear of loosing hard-won rights and privileges. Instead the chapter swerves to discuss another (important and interesting) form of gender-based oppression. The upshot is that this chapter lacks cohesion and a clear argument where the rest of the book is fairly reliable in that regard.
Minor gripes aside, I'm glad I read this even if the only solutions it can offer at the end of the book are: be observant, open to education, avoid being part of the problem and try to be part of the solution. It's not exactly a resounding call to arms, and is somewhat depressing given the scale of issues at play, but I suppose it has the advantage of being an achievable aim.
Read
May 2, 2023DNF. Not bad persay, but it is definitely geared towards the authors target demographic and reads like a graduate thesis paper that I'm just not up for at the moment. Found myself bored.
October 24, 2023
An essential book to read. Dr Jack Davy does a great job at unpacking the impact that colonialism has had on society, how societies are inherently designed to benefit and maintain the power and status of those in power. Using history, sociological and psychological analysis, Dr Davy challenges us to hold a mirror up to our own selves.
He challenged my own assumptions that I could not be an oppressor (as a woman of colour), that I have as much a part to play in the systems that perpetuate the rich-poor, powerful-not powerful binary. My reading experience with this book was VERY confronting but it was needed.
In the book, Dr Davy says, “We think of oppressors as bad people: the people we read about or see on television; the violent and corrupt and racist and cruel people we learn about in histories of other countries and other people and places. Oppressors are cruel and deny people their rights; they imprison, torture and murder people, and they do it for their own gain. They steal and cheat and kill. Maybe they enjoy it. We are not like them. Our families are not like them. Except that, without meaning to or realizing it, we often are.”
An eye-opening read. An essential read.
He challenged my own assumptions that I could not be an oppressor (as a woman of colour), that I have as much a part to play in the systems that perpetuate the rich-poor, powerful-not powerful binary. My reading experience with this book was VERY confronting but it was needed.
In the book, Dr Davy says, “We think of oppressors as bad people: the people we read about or see on television; the violent and corrupt and racist and cruel people we learn about in histories of other countries and other people and places. Oppressors are cruel and deny people their rights; they imprison, torture and murder people, and they do it for their own gain. They steal and cheat and kill. Maybe they enjoy it. We are not like them. Our families are not like them. Except that, without meaning to or realizing it, we often are.”
An eye-opening read. An essential read.
February 28, 2023
Occasionally, a book stares at you in a store and tickles your brain. You've never heard of said book nor its writer, but the premise and the cover speak to you. We, The Oppressors, was this book.
While the book covers some obvious cases and conclusions, the books historical context and how said case plays a role in a grander scheme is admirable. My book is littered with tags of tidbits, concise prose snippets and what have you. The attention to detail and the researched subjects makes this an essential read, not only for people to understand historical and systematic oppression, but politics and sociology in general.
Davy's style, as you find with people who actually know what they're talking about, is clear and clean. This book is very easy to read and so it should be. The writer wants people to understand the past to avoid repeating its errors in the present. A worth while endeavour.
While the book covers some obvious cases and conclusions, the books historical context and how said case plays a role in a grander scheme is admirable. My book is littered with tags of tidbits, concise prose snippets and what have you. The attention to detail and the researched subjects makes this an essential read, not only for people to understand historical and systematic oppression, but politics and sociology in general.
Davy's style, as you find with people who actually know what they're talking about, is clear and clean. This book is very easy to read and so it should be. The writer wants people to understand the past to avoid repeating its errors in the present. A worth while endeavour.
March 27, 2023
I wonder how much this book is preaching to the choir? I picked it up because it discusses topics I'm concerned about: how societies (like mine) oppress people, especially minorities, and how the history of oppression within and between nations still causes harm today. It covers some broad themes (education's role in oppression, culture and media in oppression, oppression in Communist China) through some great case studies. Engaging and well written, I enjoyed reading it.
My reservation with books like this is that the people who are likely to read it already know most of what it has to say. I learnt some details - the coverage of Westerns was particularly illuminating - but I already understood the broad brushstrokes of this book before I picked it up. So, will it change anyone's mind? Will it make a difference? I doubt it, even if it is a good read.
My reservation with books like this is that the people who are likely to read it already know most of what it has to say. I learnt some details - the coverage of Westerns was particularly illuminating - but I already understood the broad brushstrokes of this book before I picked it up. So, will it change anyone's mind? Will it make a difference? I doubt it, even if it is a good read.
November 4, 2023
This is a fascinating book with stories from throughout history of how people are corrupted by power, how people allow it to happen, and how we can all become more aware of what is happening.
The issues on Clipperton Island are truly shocking and perfectly illustrate Mr Dave’s thesis. I was particularly interested in the information on the British behaviour in Kenya when we overcame a rebellion by the local MauMau people. My father had been in Kenya, although earlier than the described events. Man’s inhumanity to man indeed.
Indigenous peoples are particularly subjugated and abused and I’m not sure anything much has changed.
The book should be compulsory reading for anyone contemplating a career in politics but those are the ones who are possibly least likely to learn the lessons.
I was given a copy of this book by NetGalley
The issues on Clipperton Island are truly shocking and perfectly illustrate Mr Dave’s thesis. I was particularly interested in the information on the British behaviour in Kenya when we overcame a rebellion by the local MauMau people. My father had been in Kenya, although earlier than the described events. Man’s inhumanity to man indeed.
Indigenous peoples are particularly subjugated and abused and I’m not sure anything much has changed.
The book should be compulsory reading for anyone contemplating a career in politics but those are the ones who are possibly least likely to learn the lessons.
I was given a copy of this book by NetGalley
June 8, 2024
Simplistic and biased (even reading w a liberal perspective). A lot of “white guilt for one book. Still read it all as the case studies were good; but the value marginalized w the repetitive editorial content.
June 22, 2023
Interesting and in-depth with an academic bent. I would have liked more about why so many people allow these oppressions to manifest and be maintained.
April 10, 2024
"DON'T LOOK AWAY".
This is the final sentence of the book.
Wow! An amazing, insightful and often painful read.
It should be taught in schools.
This is the final sentence of the book.
Wow! An amazing, insightful and often painful read.
It should be taught in schools.
April 21, 2024
This book provides perspectives which behove us to examine who we are, how we are, and our role as responsible citizens of the world.
"Educate yourself...Don't look away."
Essential read!
"Educate yourself...Don't look away."
Essential read!
August 28, 2025
4.5 ⭐️
I appreciate that Davy doesn’t try to appease to undecided centrists or devout right-wingers. Instead, he builds his analysis and arguments on fundamental liberal & leftist assumptions, which makes for a much more compelling read. This book prompts some really meaningful conversations on how we, who reap the crops of colonial oppression, can use our knowledge and privilege to reject the attempts of our political leaders and cultural zeitgeist to reinstate these oppressive systems
I appreciate that Davy doesn’t try to appease to undecided centrists or devout right-wingers. Instead, he builds his analysis and arguments on fundamental liberal & leftist assumptions, which makes for a much more compelling read. This book prompts some really meaningful conversations on how we, who reap the crops of colonial oppression, can use our knowledge and privilege to reject the attempts of our political leaders and cultural zeitgeist to reinstate these oppressive systems
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews