Civilization: How We All Became American - Hardcover

Debray, Régis

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 1788734033 ISBN 13: 9781788734035

Verlag: Verso, 2019

Inhaltsangabe

'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?'

Über diesen Titel

Über die Autorin bzw. den Autor

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

Details zur Ausgabe

• Verlag: Verso
• Erscheinungsdatum: 2019
• Sprache: Englisch
• ISBN 10: 1788734033
• ISBN 13: 9781788734035
• Einband: Gebundene Ausgabe
• Anzahl der Seiten: 192
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