Inventing Western Civilization

A discussion of the idea of civilization and how, at different times, the concept has been used by the powerful in order to defend their status. It examines how civilization has been closely tied to the rise of capitalism in Western Europe and the development of social classes. What is civilization? The term, commonly identified with "uplift" and "order", has come to take on another meaning - the "civilized" versus the "primitive". This is a discussion of the idea of civilization and how, at different times, the concept has been used by the powerful in order to defend their status. Drawing on his knowledge of early societies, Thomas C. Patterson shows how class, sexism and racism have been integral to the appearance of "civilized" societies in Western Europe. He examines how civilization, with its designs of civilizing and "being civilized" has been closely tied to the rise of capitalism in Western Europe and the development of social classes. The origins of the "others", groups distinguished by their supposedly natural differences in appearance, behaviour or essence, are traced to the power relations of the societies from which they emerged. He also shows how, in asserting their humanity, the "uncivilized" turn our understanding of civilization inside out.

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