Items related to Civilization
American civilization’s dominance over Europe—and what to do about it
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.
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.
Régis Debray explores America’s global cultural ascendancy in this provocative and witty analysis of our contemporary condition. Whereas Europe once foregrounded the importance of time and writing, America is a civilization of spectacle and kinetics, blind to the tragic complexities of human life. A measure of America’s success is how its jargon has been adopted by European languages, but there is much more than that to the States’ infiltration into all aspects of modern life.
For Debray, the dominance of American civilization is a historical fait accompli. Yet he envisions a sanctuary for the best of Europe modelled on Vienna at the cusp of the twentieth century, where art and literature flowered in the rich soil of a decaying empire. For decades to come, Europe can still offer a rich cultural seedbed. “Some will call it decadence,” writes Debray, “others liberation. Why not both?”
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About the Author:
Régis Debray is the author of many books, including Media Manifestos, Critique of Political Reason and God: An Itinerary.
Review:
“Not only a reflection on the Americanization of the globe, but also a meditation on the notion of civilization.”
—Le Monde
“Régis Debray, ironic chronicler of the world of yesterday and a master of cheerful pessimism, sees humanity as able to weather the replacement of European civilization.”
—Libération
“Debray invites us to accept our decadence, offering as his model Vienna at the turn of the twentieth century, with its extraordinary flourishing of art and culture.”
—Le Figaro
“Debray, who understands better than anyone the significance of myths and images in the glory of civilizations, helps us rediscover what the fascination with America conceals.”
—L’Humanité
—Le Monde
“Régis Debray, ironic chronicler of the world of yesterday and a master of cheerful pessimism, sees humanity as able to weather the replacement of European civilization.”
—Libération
“Debray invites us to accept our decadence, offering as his model Vienna at the turn of the twentieth century, with its extraordinary flourishing of art and culture.”
—Le Figaro
“Debray, who understands better than anyone the significance of myths and images in the glory of civilizations, helps us rediscover what the fascination with America conceals.”
—L’Humanité
"About this title" may belong to another edition of this title.
- PublisherVerso
- Publication date2019
- ISBN 10 1788734033
- ISBN 13 9781788734035
- BindingHardcover
- Number of pages192
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Book Description Hardcover. Condition: new. Hardcover. 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 Americas 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? American civilisation's dominance over Europe - and what to do about it. Shipping may be from multiple locations in the US or from the UK, depending on stock availability. Seller Inventory # 9781788734035
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