Is the Biden debacle a sign of a civilisation in decline?
Ahead of the event "Civilisation Under Siege?" from our friends at the Ideas Matter charity, read this excellent introduction from Frank Furedi
Aging leaders, widespread incompetence, run behind the scenes by a coterie of Eunuchs, and soon to be toppled by a more vigorous force from abroad … is this a description of the dying days of the Byzantine empire or contemporary America?
Certainly, the unedifying spectacle of Biden withdrawing from the US Presidential race has many reaching for their preferred comparisons of a civilisation in decline. Even Trump, who is certainly more vigorous, is no spring chicken. More broadly, it seems that the Democrats’ struggles to identify an obvious replacement for Biden speaks to a crisis of leaders. What does such a gerontocracy say about American power, or about the West more broadly? Is this all a sign of a civilisation in decline?
Strangely, this talk of civilisational decline is bucking a recent trend where even to talk of “civilisation” might put you in a position for a scolding. We have long been told that it is “racist” to use a term said to be infested with colonial prejudices - and don’t dare to suggest that there might be some civilisations which are better than others.
For this reason, we wanted to draw your attention to an excellent Substack post from our friend and Battle of Ideas festival regular Frank Furedi. Announcing the start of a new research project - which we hope will result in a book for us to read - Frank has published a helpful primer on what civilisation means and why so many have become hostile to the term.
In this essay, Frank examines how the idea of civilisation has recently fallen under siege from the attitude of non-judgementalism. Instead of daring to defend the achievements and high points of Western civilisation - influential intellectuals would today insist there is no way of judging between a more sophisticated and a less sophisticated civilisation. Worse still, the new ideology has nothing to say against those dedicated to undoing and destroying Western civilisation - like ISIS or Hamas.
This essay comes at a very useful moment. Ideas Matter are busy organising another major event - their annual, residential intellectual getaway The Academy. Over a weekend in August, they will ask is Civilisation Under Siege? If you want to join an event tackling this foundational issue, featuring great lectures, brilliant company, fine surroundings and good food and drink, we really urge you to get a ticket, and read on for Frank’s essay below.
Civilisation Under Siege?
Saturday 17 and Sunday 18 August
Wyboston Lakes Resort, Bedfordshire
In Defence Of Civilisation
Why we must resist the calls for voluntary civilisational euthanasia
Frank Furedi
Civilisation is an important concept that alludes to the legacy and achievements of humanity’s journey through the age. So why is it that in our era, the term civilisation has acquired such negative connotations?
And why is it that, Western civilisation is so frequently framed as a toxic and destructive force?
The term civilisation – which emerged in the 18th century – has acquired numerous meanings. In its neutral form it refers to an advanced stage of human society, which contains developed forms of institutions, culture and social norms. However, since the outbreak of the Culture Wars, the term ‘advanced’ has acquired negative connotations. The concept of an advanced society like that of civilisation is not simply a term of description. It also conveys a judgment and conveys the implication that other societies are less advanced and in comparison, even backward.
In our relativistic culture there is no room for words that connotes a judgment that favours one social form over another. That is why numerous commentators insist that it is illegitimate to favourably contrast Greek or Roman civilisations to non-literate hunting and gathering societies living in a state of constant insecurity.
Read the rest of the piece over on Frank’s excellent Substack.
