The empire of civilization
Subtitle: the evolution of an imperial idea
By: Brett Bowden.
Publisher: University of Chicago Press
Published: 2009
Place of publication: Chicago
Language: eng
Number of pages: 303
ISBN-13: 9780226068145
Subjects: Civilization -- Philosophy; Civilization -- History; Imperialism; International relations -- Philosophy; Philosophy, European; Europe -- Territorial expansion
Description: "Brett Bowden examines how the idea of civilization has informed our thinking about more than ten centuries of global encounters among the different peoples of our world." "From the Crusades to the colonial era to the global war on terror, this volume exposes "civilization" as a stage-managed account of history that legitimizes imperialism, uniformity, and conformity to Western standards, culminating in a liberal-democratic global order. Along the way, Bowden explores the variety of confrontations and conquests - as well as those peoples and places excluded or swept aside - undertaken in the name of civilization. Concluding that the "West and the rest" have more commonalities than differences, this provocative and engaging book ultimately points the way toward an authentic intercivilizational dialogue that emphasizes cooperation over clashes."--Jacket.
Notes: Includes bibliographical references and index.
Table of contents: title: Introduction: Guizot's question : universal civilization?; title: pt. 1. Civilization, progress, and history : universals all?; title: The ideal of civilization : its origins, meanings, and implications; title: Civilization and the idea of progress; title: The notion of universal civilization : one end for all?; title: pt. 2. The art and science of empire; title: The expansion of Europe and the classical standard of civilization; title: The burden of civilization and the "art and science of colonization"; title: pt. 3. New barbarism, old civilization, revived imperialism; title: New barbarism and the test of modernity; title: The "new realities" of imperialism; title: Conclusion: The future of intercivilizational relations.