Roger Scruton argues that to understand adequately the roots of Islamic terrorism, one must understand both the unique historical evolution of the state and the dynamic of globalization. Scruton reveals the philosophical and theological roots of the current clash of civilizations. He addresses issues such as the conflict between Islam and secular law, notions of citizenship, fulfilling the human need for belonging, and why globalization provokes such an apparent desire for revenge against the West in some Islamic minds. Scruton's narrative raises fundamental questions about the West's ability to recover and defend its own religious heritage while limiting the harmful effects of its decadent hyper-individualism and the culture of repudiation it has sparked both within its own societies and the societies it touches. Finally, Scruton calls for the West to re-examine some of its assumptions about such matters as immigration, multiculturalism, progress and prosperity.
| ||||||||||||||||||
Did you know you can trade in your old books for an Amazon.co.uk Gift Card to spend on the things you want? Visit the Books Trade-In Store for more details. Special Offer until June 30, 2013: Receive an additional £5 promotional Gift Certificate, when you trade-in at least £10 worth of books. Learn more. |
Book Description
Product details
Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images?
|
More About the Author
Discover books, learn about writers, and more.
Product Description
Review
"'... a veritable tour de force which deserves to be widely read.' The Commonwealth Lawyer; 'Scruton's book is a powerful and eloquent analysis of one of the greatest issues of the age. It should be read by everyone grappling with the necessity of understanding and responding to the al-Qa'eda offensive and avoiding a clash of civilisations.' Ian Christie, Resurgence No. 219, July/August 2003. '... a tour de force of concision, learning and wisdom... an important and impressive contribution.' The Literary Review"
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
About the Author
Roger Scruton is one of the most prominent contemporary English writers and media personalities. A philosopher who has lived for many years in the Middle East, Scruton has been Professor of Philosophy at Birkbeck College, London and Boston University, USA.
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
Inside This Book
(Learn More)
Browse and search another edition of this book.
Browse and search another edition of this book.
Sell a Digital Version of This Book in the Kindle Store
If you are a publisher or author and hold the digital rights to a book, you can sell a digital version of it in our Kindle Store.
Learn more
What Other Items Do Customers Buy After Viewing This Item?
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
17 of 17 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
The title - 'Globalisation and the Terrorist Threat' does not give an accurate impression as to the content of this book. Actually such issues are only explored in depth in the final third. The first three chapters instead focus on the disctinct cultural differences that exist in the West and in the Islamic world. The author explains why the differences between these quite dissimilar societies arise from both religious thought and the individual's attitudes toward the state. The book presents to the reader a plausible explaination why Muslims find it difficult to respect secular governance, that which is apparent in the West.
In a defense of the nation state, Scruton questions our attitudes toward immigration, Europe etc and then shows how the West is in fact responsible, in part, for the rise of terrorism.
This eloquently written book is valuable, not only to political and sociological scholars, but indeed to anyone who wishes to inquire about the 'West-Rest' relationship.
In a defense of the nation state, Scruton questions our attitudes toward immigration, Europe etc and then shows how the West is in fact responsible, in part, for the rise of terrorism.
This eloquently written book is valuable, not only to political and sociological scholars, but indeed to anyone who wishes to inquire about the 'West-Rest' relationship.
31 of 32 people found the following review helpful
By Simon
Format:Paperback
Roger Scruton is known for his position somewhere on the traditional right of the political spectrum. Indeed he has written a defence of conservatism. Those on the left may therefore be wary of this book. But as someone who has not in the past sympathised with Scruton's politics I can strongly recommend this book. The book's strength is its intellectual seriousness combined with its clarity of expression. Anyone who is interested in the history of ideas will find this book of interest, since it goes much deeper than the aftermath of 9/11 and addresses the enlightenment and the modern nation-state by contrast with developments in the Islamic world. It also deals with the puzzling, not to say wrongheaded, disposition of some western intellectuals to belittle the cultural heritage of the west and ignore the many benefits this has brought ordinary people the world over. For such intellectuals the west can never redeem itself for the "guilt" associated with its historical dominance over other cultural traditions.
20 of 21 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
In this fascinating book, British Philosopher (and former university professor) Roger Scruton looks at the West and the Islamic world, and examines what has brought on the present crisis. It is his contention that the both the Western and the Islamic worlds are in a state of crisis. In the Islamic world, the increase in population and the concomitant urbanization has produced alienation, while the march of globalization has brought it face to face with a Western world that it both envies and hates. In the West, the whole of Western culture is under assault from an elitist, post-Modernist "Culture of Repudiation" that wishes to tear down the culture, but has nothing to erect in its place.
Along the way, Mr. Scruton treats the reader to a profound and highly enlightening look at the foundations of modern Western and Islamic political ideology; where they came from, where they are going, and what has produced such hostility. The conclusion of the book is small, with some suggestions to "constrain" the process of globalization, thus minimizing the threat perceived by the Muslim world, but nothing more far-reaching than that.
I found this book to be both enlightening and somewhat frightening. Mr. Scruton's analysis suggests that the roots of the present hostility emanating from the Middle East are very deep indeed, and not likely to be ameliorated by any simple or easy solution. If there was one book that I would urge everyone to read, so as to understand the present world, this would be it! Please read this book.
21 of 23 people found the following review helpful
By Dajx
Format:Hardcover
The contrast between modern, western society and islam is set forth in clear, stark terms. The western tradition of church and state as two separate entities has no parallel whatsoever in islam, where a single unified and unalterable law applies to every aspect of life. Scruton is not a foaming neo-con, nor a empty-headed globaliser, and he sees much that is wrong with the western ideal, but he seems to suggest that there is so little in common between the west and the rest that we are fooling ourselves in our pursuit of multiculturalism at the expense of our own culture.
Here is a thoughtful and focused book that digs into the roots of two very different cultures. The author does not apologise for the nation state of the Enlightenment, which is a novelty in itself, but warns that its self-erosion will leave the west cruelly exposed to intolerance from the rest. The anti-EU passages seem to be grafted in rather clumsily, and his attack on Edward Said seems personalised and over-long to the uninitiated, but these are forgivable faults. I came away with the start of a comprehension of the way muslim society operates, and a wish to learn more.
The message of the book is not comforting. The tone is not western-triumphalist or uncritically pro-American, nor is it a demonisation of islam, but it offers little hope of reconciliation. At best the last words are a list of things to do to minimise the mess that seems to be unavoidable.
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
By J. P. Maciag
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
The West and the Rest is a book I have read three times and on each occasion extracted some new realisation. It is a small volume but so packed with civilisational counter-intuitiveness that it will make your head spin.
The most profound insight (that I dwell on almost daily when I listen to the news) is the link between democracy and the nation state. Scruton argues quite persuasively that to have a democracy means starting with a nation that sees itself as one. In other words, democracy is the child of nationhood and not the other way round because, in a democracy, all must agree to abide by the wish of the ruling majority. This is only possible because they trust (a key concept) that the majority have the best interests of all (not just their own) at heart.
A democracy calls for the participants to view each other as partners in a joint and quite specific project with names such as England, Ireland, France, Japan, India, Germany, The U.S, Israel and Australia.
It also demonstrates why these Western Nations have democracy and "the Rest", those places ravaged by factionalism, sectarianism and an understanding only of a greater Ummah never will. It also explains why the EU will never be a democracy and why a Balkanising multiculturalism is such pure poison to nationhood first and democracy second.
Sobering stuff when you see our foolish leadership spending our blood and treasure on "bringing democracy" to some bedevilled place on a map. They might as well be trying to grow bougainvillea on Mars.
They should have read this book!
The most profound insight (that I dwell on almost daily when I listen to the news) is the link between democracy and the nation state. Scruton argues quite persuasively that to have a democracy means starting with a nation that sees itself as one. In other words, democracy is the child of nationhood and not the other way round because, in a democracy, all must agree to abide by the wish of the ruling majority. This is only possible because they trust (a key concept) that the majority have the best interests of all (not just their own) at heart.
A democracy calls for the participants to view each other as partners in a joint and quite specific project with names such as England, Ireland, France, Japan, India, Germany, The U.S, Israel and Australia.
It also demonstrates why these Western Nations have democracy and "the Rest", those places ravaged by factionalism, sectarianism and an understanding only of a greater Ummah never will. It also explains why the EU will never be a democracy and why a Balkanising multiculturalism is such pure poison to nationhood first and democracy second.
Sobering stuff when you see our foolish leadership spending our blood and treasure on "bringing democracy" to some bedevilled place on a map. They might as well be trying to grow bougainvillea on Mars.
They should have read this book!
Would you like to see more reviews about this item?
›
Go to Amazon.com to see both reviews
4.5 out of 5 stars
Were these reviews helpful?
Let us know
Most Recent Customer Reviews
1.0 out of 5 stars
Sketchy, full of nonsense and frightening
Roger Scruton explains very well the theoretical difference between the West (freedom, separation of Church and State) and the Rest (e.g. Islam). Read more
Published on 5 Nov 2005 by Luc REYNAERT
4.0 out of 5 stars
The enemy within and without
In this short but illuminating book, Scruton examines the political institutions of the West as regards the relation between religion and politics, and the threat of radical Islam. Read more
Published on 28 Aug 2005 by Pieter Uys
5.0 out of 5 stars
a voice in the wilderness
This slim little volume packs more facts and well-reasoned arguments than all the Michael Moore and Noam Chomsky tomes put together. Read more
Published on 19 Nov 2003
Customer Discussions
|
This product's forum
Active discussions in related forums
Search Customer Discussions
|
Related forums
|
Listmania!
|
|
Look for similar items by category
Feedback
- Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images?
- I am the Author, and I want to comment on my book.
- I am the Publisher, and I want to comment on this book.
