Reparations: Slavery and the Tyranny of Imaginary Guilt by Nigel Biggar

Nigel Biggar’s Reparations: Slavery and the Tyranny of Imaginary Guilt is a concise yet provocative critique of the modern reparations movement. Biggar argues that Western societies, particularly Britain, are burdened by a misplaced sense of collective guilt over slavery. He contends that the historical narrative driving calls for reparations often ignores the global nature of slavery, the role of non-Western participants, and the moral significance of Britain’s abolition efforts.

The book is clearly written and backed by historical data, offering a coherent challenge to dominant views about inherited guilt and responsibility. Biggar’s moral-theological lens adds depth, and his insistence on historical nuance pushes readers to question simplified versions of history.

However, the book’s selective framing and combative tone limit its persuasiveness. Critics argue that Biggar downplays the long-term social and economic legacies of slavery and that his focus on “imaginary guilt” risks dismissing genuine historical injustices. Moreover, while he dismantles the case for reparations, he offers little in terms of constructive alternatives for addressing those legacies.

Overall, Reparations is an intelligent and forceful counter-argument in the reparations debate—stimulating, clear, and controversial. It will appeal most to readers skeptical of contemporary guilt politics, though others may find it more polemical than balanced.