Language and State
A Theory of the Progress of Civilization
Will be published approx. on 15. October 2018
Book
Hardback
568 pages
978-0-7618-7066-1 (ISBN)
Description
Language and State: A Theory of the Progress of Civilization argues that the state takes form because of language. This book argues that since humans began to use language, they have been able to create and use media. This media includes humans themselves, materials, human behavior, and their consciousness. Media extends the distance of linguistic communication and then humans form themselves into a large community. This leads to the formation of the state and the dissolution of the tribes. Then, assuming that kinship plays an essential role in the formation of the tribe, language, this book argues, plays a role in the formation of the state. Then linguistic communication structures human interactions in the formation of the state. Humans share information with each other, give interpretations to each other, express attitudes to each other and make promises to each other. They even allow for one person to issue commands to all others. Humans organize the state in various types of linguistic interaction; these types of mutual interaction further create a condition for the formation of the common interest of all: a foundation for the building of the state. Then, humans rationalize the organization of the state in extending the distance of linguistic communication. Humans realize freedom, equality, peace, democracy, and justice in their mutual linguistic interactions. If we suppose that the state is a community of the civilization era, the state realizes the progress of human civilization in extending linguistic communication distance. Language gives origin to the state and sustains the development of the state. Language has presented the whole process of the progress of human civilization.
This book is the follow-up to Language and State: An Inquiry into the Progress of Civilization, Revised Edition published in 2017.
This book is the follow-up to Language and State: An Inquiry into the Progress of Civilization, Revised Edition published in 2017.
More details
Edition
Revised and Updated
Language
English
Place of publication
Lanham, MD
United States
Publishing group
University Press of America
Target group
Professional and scholarly
Dimensions
Height: 243 mm
Width: 160 mm
Thickness: 45 mm
Weight
1007 gr
ISBN-13
978-0-7618-7066-1 (9780761870661)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Person
Xing Yu is a political scientist who was educated in China. He is now an independent researcher who resides in Canada.
Content
Prologue ix
Part One Language and State Communication 1
Introduction 3
Chapter One Humans 5
1. Power Holders 5
2. Businessmen 15
3. Culture Workers 23
Chapter Two Materials 37
1. Geological Materials 37
2. Materials from Animals 46
3. Materials from Plants 55
Chapter Three Behavior 67
1. Behavior as an Example 67
2. Behavior as an Indication of Identity 76
3. Behavior as a Ceremony 87
Chapter Four Consciousness 97
1. National Consciousness 97
2. Historical Consciousness 107
3. Social and Political Consciousness 116
Part Two Language and State Organization 131
Introduction 133
Chapter Five Information 135
1. Search 135
2. Report 143
3. Public Communication 153
Chapter Six Interpretation 165
1. Knowledge 165
2. Value 176
3. Public Affairs 189
Chapter Seven Attitude 203
1. Honor 203
2. Loyalty 216
3. Support or Opposition 232
Chapter Eight Promise 249
1. Contract 249
2. Oath 259
3. Promises Made to and by the Masses 270
Chapter Nine Command 285
1. Naked Command 285
2. Systematic Imperative 294
3. Law Based on Common Interest 304
Part Three Language and State Rationality 317
Introduction 319
Chapter Ten Freedom 321
1. Speech 321
2. Thought 330
3. Religious Belief 341
Chapter Eleven Equality 355
1. Book 355
2. Code or Common Law 367
3. Ballot 379
Chapter Twelve Peace 389
1. Social Exchange 389
2. Constitutional Arrangement 398
3. Ruling in Turn 409
Chapter Thirteen Democracy 421
1. Demonstration 421
2. Poll 431
3. Election and Referendum 439
Chapter Fourteen Justice 453
1. Appointment 453
2. Procedure 462
3. Trial 471
Conclusion 483
Epilogue 501
Acknowledgements 519
Bibliography 523
Index 529
About the Author 535
Part One Language and State Communication 1
Introduction 3
Chapter One Humans 5
1. Power Holders 5
2. Businessmen 15
3. Culture Workers 23
Chapter Two Materials 37
1. Geological Materials 37
2. Materials from Animals 46
3. Materials from Plants 55
Chapter Three Behavior 67
1. Behavior as an Example 67
2. Behavior as an Indication of Identity 76
3. Behavior as a Ceremony 87
Chapter Four Consciousness 97
1. National Consciousness 97
2. Historical Consciousness 107
3. Social and Political Consciousness 116
Part Two Language and State Organization 131
Introduction 133
Chapter Five Information 135
1. Search 135
2. Report 143
3. Public Communication 153
Chapter Six Interpretation 165
1. Knowledge 165
2. Value 176
3. Public Affairs 189
Chapter Seven Attitude 203
1. Honor 203
2. Loyalty 216
3. Support or Opposition 232
Chapter Eight Promise 249
1. Contract 249
2. Oath 259
3. Promises Made to and by the Masses 270
Chapter Nine Command 285
1. Naked Command 285
2. Systematic Imperative 294
3. Law Based on Common Interest 304
Part Three Language and State Rationality 317
Introduction 319
Chapter Ten Freedom 321
1. Speech 321
2. Thought 330
3. Religious Belief 341
Chapter Eleven Equality 355
1. Book 355
2. Code or Common Law 367
3. Ballot 379
Chapter Twelve Peace 389
1. Social Exchange 389
2. Constitutional Arrangement 398
3. Ruling in Turn 409
Chapter Thirteen Democracy 421
1. Demonstration 421
2. Poll 431
3. Election and Referendum 439
Chapter Fourteen Justice 453
1. Appointment 453
2. Procedure 462
3. Trial 471
Conclusion 483
Epilogue 501
Acknowledgements 519
Bibliography 523
Index 529
About the Author 535