Mende's book ably explicates what's at stake in debates over the human right to culture and identity--freedom and constraint; emancipation and repression--and offers a promising way forward as we navigate these tensions.

Hypatia: A Journal of Feminist Philosophy

A thoughtful reflection on a key topic of our time. Mende moves the debate to an alternative terrain, transcending classical associations of concepts of culture and identity and exploring the repressive and emancipatory dimensions of those terms. An enlightening read that combines theoretical discussions and empirical analysis.

Nieves Zuniga, Research Fellow in Politics, University of Nottingham

Culture is basically understood as the way of living for a group of people who have similar attributes and preferences. This book provides a useful guide to the background drivers and current practices on the subject. It not only covers the history of political thought but also provides a critical examination of political and social theories. It emphasizes the assumptions and ideas often used to explain roles and actions of society and government to define social and political aspirations about indigenous rights. It will be a good addition to the literature and serve as a good source of knowledge for students and scholars with an interest in cultural studies, sociology, social philosophy and global politics.

Saira Akhtar, Associate Professor of Sociology, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad