Product Description

The London bombings of 7 July 2005 revived the debates that raged after September 11 2001. How were they related to the foreign policies of the UK and the US? Were they symptoms of a cultural clash between deep-seated values, or signs of social crisis? The title refers to the famous thesis on the "Clash of Civilizations". Achcar develops a counter-thesis, namely that the clashes we are witnessing do not oppose civilizations, but their dark sides. The war of aggression and occupation in Iraq led to blatant manifestations of Western barbarism; most strikingly epitomized by the torture at Abu-Ghraib, and inevitably nurtured fanatical Islamic and other counter-barbarisms. Each civilization produces a specific form of barbarism which tends to take over in periods of crisis. Accordingly, the Bush administration doesn't embody the values of 'Western civilization' nor does Islamic fanaticism of the al-Qa'ida type represent 'Islamic civilization'. The clash between them is truly a 'clash of barbarisms'.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #201879 in Books
• Published on: 2006-03-14
• Original language: French
• Binding: Paperback
• 192 pages

Review
'This inquiry into the probable shape of things to come is sober, uncompromising, deeply-informed, and full of provocative insights and judicious analyses.' Noam Chomsky 'Overturns the traditional perspective, and opens up avenues of understanding.' Howard Zinn 'The most forceful, most rigorous text that there is to read on this war.' Le Monde Diplomatique 'Provides rapid rehearsals of Middle Eastern history over the past half-century, erects an interesting contrast between Hobbesian and Lockean modes of US foreign policy, and vigorously denounces US actions at Guantanamo, Abu Ghraib and Fallujah.' The Guardian 'Reminds us that the barbarisms of our time are not irrational accidents but the creations primarily of US and British imperialism.' Socialist Review

Howard Zinn
Overturns the traditional perspective, and opens up avenues of understanding.

Le Monde Diplomatiqu
The most forceful, most rigorous text that there is to read on this war.

Customer Reviews

powerful and right to the point
This book provides a counter-thesis to the famous thesis The Clash of Civilizations. It's a book full of eye-opening arguments and it sure will make you ponder upon many of the current affairs.
Buy it. Read it.
It's not flawless, but such arguments are needed at a time when most of what you hear and read are fabricated or manufactured.