Civilizations and World Order Geopolitics and Cultural Difference [Paperback]

Every so often a book comes our way which challenges us to think?outside?the box. This rich collection of essays does just that. Each author, while reflecting his own distinctive?philosophical?and cultural?standpoint, addresses two questions which go to the heart of our current predicament. Given the steady decline of Western political and cultural hegemony side by side with accelerating globalization, what are the prospects of constructing a relatively peaceful world order? Is civilizational difference part of the problem or part of the solution? The answers are diverse, often provocative, and invariably insightful.These chapters provide a single powerful message: to understand each other is often difficult and demanding, but it is by far the most profitable strategy for international politics. And it is ultimately intellectually rewarding.This book examines the role of civilizations in the context of the existing and possible world orders from a cross-cultural perspective. Seeking to clarify the meaning of such complex and contested notions as civilization, order, and world order, it takes into account political, economic, cultural, and philosophical dimensions of social life.Civilizations and World Order: Geopolitics and Cultural Difference examines the role of civilizations in the context of the existing and possible world order(s) from a cross-cultural and inter-disciplinary perspective. Contributions seek to clarify the meaning of such complex and contested notions as civilization, order, and world order; they do so by taking into account political, economic, cultural, and philosophical dimensions of social life. The book deals with its main theme from three angles or vectors: first, the geopolitical or power-political context of civilizations; secondly, the different roles of civilizations or cultures against the backdrop of post-coloniality and Orientalism; and thirdly, the importance of ideological and regional differences as factors supporlÓP