
The Empire of Civilization
The Evolution of an Imperial Idea
Brett Bowden(Author)
University of Chicago Press
Published on 25. March 2014
Book
Paperback/Softback
320 pages
978-0-226-14240-1 (ISBN)
Description
The term "civilization" comes with considerable baggage, setting up a dichotomy wherein people, cultures, and histories are "civilized" - or not. While the idea of civilization has been deployed throughout history to justify all manner of interventions and socio political engineering, relatively few scholars have stopped to consider what the concept actually means. Here, Brett Bowden examines how the idea of civilization has informed our thinking about international relations over the course of ten centuries. From the Crusades to the colonial era to the global war on terror, this sweeping 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 inter civilizational dialogue that emphasizes cooperation over clashes.
Concluding that "the West and the rest" have more commonalities than differences, this provocative and engaging book ultimately points the way toward an authentic inter civilizational dialogue that emphasizes cooperation over clashes.
Reviews / Votes
"This is a hugely ambitious undertaking. Bowden's rich book deserves a wide readership." (Millennium: Journal of International Studies) "The most comprehensive engagement to date with the emergence, history, development, and complexity of the term 'civilization.'... Bowden's book is a must for anyone genuinely curious about the life (not only the history) of ideas." (Political Studies Review)"More details
Language
English
Place of publication
Chicago
United States
Publishing group
The University of Chicago Press
Target group
College/higher education
Dimensions
Height: 23 mm
Width: 17 mm
Thickness: 2 mm
Weight
510 gr
ISBN-13
978-0-226-14240-1 (9780226142401)
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Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions

E-Book
08/2009
1st Edition
University of Chicago Press
€45.39
Available for download
Person
Brett Bowden is associate professor of history and political thought at the University of Western Sydney. He is the author of Civilization and War.