How do they explain western dominance in other world regions?

[Az]

What is the logic of it being a cold war stunt? Huntington wrote the clash AFTER the end of the cold war.

[Bereta_Eder]

It was pumped up as a cold war stunt.
Hungtington isnt even worth discussing, he's refuted too easily.

[Bereta_Eder]

BTW that doesnt go to say civs are defined as national sociostructural entities which end where the state's frontiers end of course. this would also be a gross misintepratation.

as for definingly differantiational "western" progression through history there is no such thing

and US (in parts) has little to do with what was baptized "western" which was a loose "european" historic progression but so fragmatised and different it cant be viewed as one or unique and certaintly not continuous or having any defferantial aspects which would give it even a hint of homogeniousness (no matter what is being attempted at present but for "noble" as some see it political aims)

[VetLegion]

No, sorry. Even if you prove the club doesn't exist, you still can't be a member. Sit in the lobby and if we need you we'll let you know

[Bereta_Eder]

my dear vetty again hilariously misappropriated

if i was acting out of national interest it would be my immense interest to claim the existance of a "Western civ" cause "it came from these parts" and we can partake a glimpse of its "glory" as its "fathers" (as for anything else geopolitically speaking we are in the EU and have all the "medals" LOOOOL of a "Western civ")


So only stating the obvious, free of balkan or global silly games

[VetLegion]

Surely you are not deluded any more that modern Greece has any root in ancient Hellas? Britain has much more and not only because their museums are full of its remains. It is a cultural thingie.

Anyway, nice seeing you old chap, but if they see me talking to you my reputation in the Club will sink, have to go! Cheerio!

[Bereta_Eder]

doesnt matter if it does or not, which it does, what matters is conjectures.


my hellos to beautiful and unappreciated croatia

[VetLegion]

Back to the thread subject..

I have indeed read GG&S a couple of years ago so I was aware of that explanation, which is basically geographic determinism. I was curious if other regions, particularly the east (China, India, Japan) offer any original interpretations. Thanks everyone for the opinions you expressed.

[Bereta_Eder]

Each civ has its own mythomotors. Dont make the mistake of thinking that the way you interpret or learn to view and evaluate things is the same as others do.
I'm sure China's educational system and peoples' views regard themselves as top dogs, in part based on half truths as is the same everywhere.

[Lord Merciless]

The Western civilization invents the following:
- Modern ideologies, such as representative democracy, communism, and nationalism.
- Modern forms of government, such as a constitution, division of power, independent judiciary, the police, and the totalitarian state.
- Modern science.
- Modern engineering, including the very forum you are posting your stuff on.
- Modern military, including its organization and weaponry.



Any country that rejects the above are doomed to languish in poverty and weakness. Example: Islamic states except Malaysia.

Any country that embraces them are destined to prosper. Example: East Asia, with China being the most recent one.

[Lord Merciless]

Originally posted by paiktis22
I'm sure China's educational system and peoples' views regard themselves as top dogs.

That's true, and they do it to a degree that will put even us Americans to shame.

[Az]

Hungtington isnt even worth discussing, he's refuted too easily

" I refute you thus "

[Bereta_Eder]

that's not a refute.

[Bereta_Eder]

hungigton's theory is filled with holes, basically because he tries to make the world fit his theory than vice versa. his defining criteria dont match. nor does the world's conflicts can be explained using his criteria

go and see previous posts for that.

I'd really like to see some more tangible and non politically motivated theories about the one "Western civ" but I doubt anyone can produce them.

[VetLegion]

Actually the short refutation of Huntington paiktis posted (not written by him I think) is quite good.



And paiktis since you seem bent on going on with your crusade - if all other definitions are false, how would you define "the west"?