Suicide of the West

Front Cover
A&C Black, Jun 26, 2006 - Political Science - 198 pages
One hundred years ago, most Westerners felt tremendous pride and confidence in their civilisation. They knew what it stood for, and they believed in it. Today that sense has gone. That is largely because the six principal ideas which underpinned Western confidence - those of Christianity, optimism, science, economic growth, liberalism and individualism - have suffered a century of sustained attack. These ideas no longer inspire or unite the West as they once did.

The contributors to Suicide of the West believe that, in theory, a more sophisticated synthesis of the six ideas could provide a way for the West to recover its nerve and integrity. But in practice? This fascinating book seeks to find the answer.
 

Contents

The Identity of the West
11
Christianity
28
Optimism
49
Science
68
Growth
90
Liberalism
112
Individualism
136
The West and the Rest
157
Is Suicide Inevitable?
178
Index
197
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About the author (2006)

Richard Koch is an entrepreneur and author of thirteen highly acclaimed non-fiction books, including The 80/20 Principle. The Rt Hon Lord Smith of Finsbury was Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport in Tony Blair's cabinet.

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