Author(s): Richard Koch & Chris Smith

History

Western civilization has thrived more than any other civilization in the past or present - it has been much more successful in economic, military and political terms, in science and technology, in the arts, and in enhancing its citizens' health, wealth, longevity and even, probably, their happiness. A large degree of success can be traced to six principal ideas - Christianity, optimism, science, economic growth, liberalism and individualism. In 1900, 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.
And that is largely because the six ideas which underpinned Western confidence have suffered a century of sustained attack. The ideas no longer inspire or unite the West, or give individuals the confidence essential for unconscious co-ordinated action. A drift towards collective suicide is evident; it is deeply impregnated in our history since 1914. It can be traced to the declining confidence in each of the attributes that used to inspire the West and the world. However, a careful examination of the six factors shows that they have great resiliance. Much of today's hostility to the ideas is based on fashionable but flaky concepts, such as Freud's view of human nature, which scientific evidence rebuts. 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. Review: "The six factors are exactly right... I tried to think of others, but these are the key factors and all of them are vital." Andrew Roberts, historian "Extremely interesting" David Cannadine, historian "Clear, well-argued and challenging." Matthew Parris, political columnist 'I found myself agreeing with the main thesis even if I wanted to dispute parts of the argument. Sections of this book are...illuminating' Church of England Newspaper, Paul Richardson" Contents: 1. Why is the West successful?; 2. Christianity; 3. Optimism; 4. Science; 5. Growth; 6. Liberalism; 7. Individualism; 8. The West and the Rest; 9. National, Cosmopolitan or Western?; 10. Is Suicide inevitable? Paperback 224pp h129mm x w198mm x s16mm 231g First published 2006.