Civilization - How We All Became American

'Civilisation' - a hard term to define. But while every society has a distinctive culture, authentic civilisations must offer those they subjugate an attractive way of life. Their imprint outlasts their imperium.

A century ago, Debray argues, there was a European civilisation of which America was an outlying culture; but today the relationship is reversed. 'In 1900, an American of taste was a European in exile; in 2000, a trendy European is a frustrated American - or one waiting for a visa'. Characteristic of American civilization is its three overarching fetishes: space, image and happiness. America is a civilization of space and image, whereas Europe was one of time and writing. And its kitsch infantilism blinds itself to the tragic complexities of human life. A measure of America's success is how its 'globish' jargon has so successfully infiltrated European languages.

For Debray, the dominance of American civilisation is a historical fait accompli, yet he sees a model for Europe in Vienna after its exclusion from the German Reich. For decades to come, Europe can still offer a rich cultural seedbed. 'Some will call it decadence, others liberation. Why not both?'

About the author

Régis Debray is the author of many books, including Media Manifestos, Critique of Political Reason and God: An Itinerary.

Summary

American civilisation's dominance over Europe - and what to do about it.

Report

This book is not only a reflection on the Americanization of the globe, but also a meditation on the notion of civilization. Le Monde

Product details

• Authors: Regis Debray, Régis Debray
• Assisted by: David Fernbach (Translation)
• Publisher: Verso
• Languages: English
• Product format: Hardback
• Released: 31.03.2019
• EAN: 9781788734035
• ISBN: 978-1-78873-403-5
• No. of pages: 192
• Subjects: Social sciences, law, business > Political science > Political science and political education; Internationale Beziehungen, Ideologie, Politikwissenschaft, Europa, USA, Vereinigte Staaten von Amerika, USA, Kulturwissenschaften, Menschenrechte, Bürgerrechte, Europe, Cultural Studies, Politische Ideologien, Internationale Zusammenarbeit, POLITICAL SCIENCE / History & Theory, Wissenschaft / Kulturwissenschaften, Politik / Politikwissenschaft, Politologie, USA / Politik, Zeitgeschichte, Recht, POLITICAL SCIENCE / Civil Rights, POLITICAL SCIENCE / Essays, International Relations, United States of America, USA