Civilization: How We All Became American
- ISBN-10
- 178873405X
- ISBN-13
- 9781788734059
- Series
- Civilization
- Category
- Political Science
- Pages
- 190
- Language
- English
- Published
- 2019-03-05
- Publisher
- Verso Books
- Author
- Régis Debray
Description
'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?'
Get the book
Other editions
-
- 2022-08-15
- - pages
- Ebook
- McGill-Queen's Press - MQUP
-
- 2015
- - pages
- Paperback
- Manifesto for a Democratic Civilization
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