Western civilization has risen to dominate world affairs over the last five hundred years, a record unmatched in world history and at odds with its population and geography relative to other countries and civilizations, due to six killer apps that have provided an advantage on the international. The key question today is whether or not the west has lost its monopoly on these six things. Killer apps what combination of characteristics set the west apart from the rest of the world. Ferguson is a professor of history at harvard and the author, most recently, of civilization. Western civilization has risen to dominate world affairs over the last five hundred years, a record unmatched in world history and at odds with its population and geography relative to other countries and civilizations, due to six killer apps that have. In this book i want to show that what distinguished the west from the rest the mainsprings of global power were six identifiably novel complexes of institutions and. Calling for the merging of races, the dissolution of the ageold european ethnic character of the west, and the imposition of universal citizenry. The clock niall ferguson discusses the clock as a metaphor for the shift of global power. The west and the rest is an excellent book analysing the rise of western dominance over the past five centuries.
The west and the rest, bestselling author niall ferguson argues that, beginning in the fifteenth century, the west developed six powerful new concepts that the rest lacked. When the education secretary announced at last years hay festival that niall ferguson would have a role in rewriting the school history syllabus there was a howl of protest. Yet now, ferguson shows how the rest have downloaded the killer apps the west once monopolized, while the west has literally lost faith in itself. I would also suggest looking at some of jared diamonds work, in which he talks about how geography influences development of the economy and trade. Western civilization has risen to dominate world affairs over the last five hundred years, a record unmatched in world history and at odds with its population and geography relative to other countries and civilizations, due to six killer apps that have provided an advantage on the international stage. Niall ferguson civilization the west and the rest allen lane an imprint of penguin books allen lane published by the penguin group penguin books ltd, 80 strand, london wc2r 0rl, england penguin group usa. Pdf civilization the west and the rest niall ferguson. The west and the rest recasts world history with force and wit. The west and the rest introduced by carlo carraro rector, university of venice auditorium santa margherita march 8th, 2011 h. Henry kissinger reappraised, with andrew roberts duration. Ferguson argues that western civilization developed six killer applications that the rest lacked. Pdf civilization the west and the rest niall ferguson minh.
The west and the rest the accompanying sixpart channel 4 series starts on 6 march. The twopart series examines niall fergusons six principles of prosperity. The west and the rest, popular and controversial historian niall ferguson sets out to explain why western civilization, roughly understood as the set of peoples and nations that live in the earths northern hemisphere, reaching from the u. Niall ferguson is far more than a writer and historian these days. If so, ferguson warns, we may be living through the end of western. Eastern in most markets, but you should check local listings. The elevator pitch for niall fergusons civilization. It may also be the last, if fergusons warnings about the sudden end of western domination come. The fact, that cannot be disputed, is that the rest are generally imitating the west. What was it about the civilization of western europe that allowed it to trump the outwardly superior empires of the orient. Chronicling the rise and fall of empires alongside clashes and fusions of civilizations, civilization. The six ways the west beat the rest printerfriendly version pdf version. Western civilizations rise to global dominance is the single most im. The answer, niall ferguson argues, was that the west developed six killer applications that the rest lacked.
The answer, niall ferguson argues, was that the west developed six. Niall ferguson is one of the worlds most renowned historians. Populism and kissinger with niall ferguson conversations with history duration. These were the killer applications that allowed the west to leap. Niall ferguson is known in leftist circles as a right winger, even a superconservative. For the past five centuries, western power has prevailed around the world. To arrest the degeneration of the wests once dominant civilization, ferguson warns, will take heroic leadership and radical reform. The book also explores the history of kissinger joining the kennedy. The west sees asian and islamic civilizations as challenger civilizations to its historic dominance. Western civilizations rise to global dominance is the single most important historical. Civilization part 2 bbc series by niall ferguson duration. Far western christian civilization, whereby scottish kings merged with the. The west and the rest, by niall ferguson 2011 london.
Western civilizations rise to global dominance is the single most important historical phenomenon of the past five centuries. The west and the rest with niall ferguson debuts tonight on pbs. The reference to pinks makes really good sense in context of this particular post. Civilization part 1 bbc series by niall ferguson youtube. About civilization read more about the ideas presented in the film. The west and the rest, niall ferguson tackles whether the west is now destined to take a back seat to asia. If you continue browsing the site, you agree to the use of cookies on this website. It is interesting to see how different cultures deal with foreigners differently. As niall ferguson observes, a traveller to both china and england in 1420 would have been struck by the contrast between the civilized chinese and the backward english.
This distinction can also be seen in some of the most famous conquerors, like alexander, who while he laid waste to a lot of places, still allowed those. Therefore western civilization is accepted as more desirable, although maybe not really superior. The west and the rest with niall ferguson more from civilization. Fergusons latest book, published next month, is called civilization. Interestingly, niall ferguson, who is a professor of history at harvard university and the london school of economics, does not emphasize the triumph of the. Acclaimed historian niall ferguson argues that beginning in the fifteenth. Without anykind of sewage system, the streets civilization the west and the rest niall ferguson. Niall campbell ferguson is a scottishborn historian. He is senior fellow at the hoover institution, stanford. He is the author of paper and iron, the house of rothschild, the pity of war, the cash nexus, empire, colossus, the war of the world, the ascent of money, high financier, civilization, the great degeneration, kissinger, 19231968. He is also a senior fellow at the hoover institution, stanford university, and a.
His book, formally seeking to answer the questions of how the west came to dominate the rest of the world, and. He spoke on may 3 at the strategic investment conference in san diego, hosted by john mauldin and altegris investments. The guardian, niall ferguson threatens to sue over accusation of racism, 26 november 2011, 21. In civilization, niall ferguson, the british historian and popular author, traces what he sees as the decline of the west. Nevertheless, ferguson presents both the good and bad of the west. Civilization the west and the rest niall ferguson slideshare. A professor at both harvard university and the harvard business school, quite aware of the faults and blemishes of the west, he flatly rejects the view of those. Previously, he was a professor at harvard university and new york university, visiting professor at new college of the humanities and senior research fellow at jesus college, oxford ferguson writes and lectures on international history, economic and. Six questions will determine the future balance of power between the west and the east, according to ferguson. Jack goldstone, george mason university niall ferguson has made the transition from academic historian of great repute to. Niall ferguson civilization the west and the rest allen lane an.
Kravis foundation peter thiel and the thiel foundation. Reviews of the the great degeneration thus far regarding the guide we have now the great degeneration comments end users never have however still left their own report on the game, you arent read it but. Find all the books, read about the author, and more. Ben wilson on niall fergusons beguiling new book, civilization. Civilization the west and the rest by niall ferguson. Competition, science, modern medicine, property, consumerism, and work ethic.