Description
Book SynopsisCivilizational Dialogue and Political Thought: Tehran Papers gathers together Islamic and Western scholars to answer the call of Mohammed Khatami, former president of Iran, and the United Nations General Assembly for a ''Dialogue of Civilizations,'' a global dialogue for peace. Based in international relations, comparative politics, political theory, and philosophy, the essays in this collection stand in direct challenge to Samuel Huntington''s ''clash of civilizations'' thesis. They testify to the urgency and the viability of the agenda of civilizational dialogue as a guidepost and ethical paradigm for the global community.
Trade Review'Dialogue of Civilizations' means a true understanding of the world's cultural map and taking a critical look at the 'self' and the 'other.' It presupposes knowledge of the past heritage while seeking and encouraging new experiences. . . . As a new chapter in human history, 'Dialogue of Civilizations' can upgrade human relations from the stage of negative tolerance to positive cooperation. According to this notion, 'others' should not just be tolerated, but be accepted as partners. 'Dialogue of Civilizations' starts with toleration and leads to respect for the other's freedom, while maintaining self-trust and trust in the world. -- from the foreword by Mohammed Khatami, Former President of Iran
This collection of essays exemplifies what it endeavors to describe and advocate: the possibility and intellectual benefits of dialogue among civilizations. -- Ahmad Sadri, Lake Forest College
A highly significant contribution to the effort to form new foundations for international relations, this book brings to western readers a rare occasion to become familiar with Iranian thinkers and their rich visions regarding contemporary international conflicts. Responding to the incendiary notion of 'Clash of Civilizations' and its antidote 'Dialogue among Civilizations,' proposed by President Khatami, these Iranian thinkers establish a dialogue of their own with their western counterparts to forge sophisticated theoretical approaches for building consensual global bonds among nations and civilizations. -- Farzin Vahdat, author of God and Juggernaut: Iran's Intellectual Encounter with Modernity
In an insane world of global panic where war, terrorism, violence, nuclear proliferation, and security have dominated our daily discourse, to discuss dialogue is both refreshing and a good reminder. It is refreshing that the discussion has taken place in Tehran, the place the popular media depicts as the centre of violence and terrorism. This discussion is also a reminder that while humans are capable of clash and violence, we are also a species of reason and constructive interaction. This collection of a dozen essays skillfully captures many sophisticated dimensions of this trait in human civilization. -- Farhang Rajaee, Carleton University
Table of ContentsChapter 1 Foreword Chapter 2 Preface Chapter 3 Introduction Part 4 Part I. Civilizational Dialogue and Political Theory Chapter 5 Chapter 1. Political Theory and Civilizational Dialogue Chapter 6 Chapter 2. Dialogue of Civilizations and Political Theory Chapter 7 Chapter 3. Dialogue of Civilizations and Political Thought Chapter 8 Chapter 4. Dialogue among Civilizations, Justice and Political Thought Chapter 9 Chapter 5. Peace Dialogue of Civilizations: The Path of Differential Hermeneutics Chapter 10 Chapter 6. Dialogue of Civilizations and Feminist Perspectives: Aspects of Interactions Chapter 11 Chapter 7. Dialogue in the Virtual World: The Impact of Communications and Information Technologies on the Dialogue among Civilizations Part 12 Part II. International Relations Theory and Civilizational Dialogue Chapter 13 Chapter 8. Dialogue of Civilizations and International Relations Chapter 14 Chapter 9. The Evolution in the Conflictual Foundation of the Science of International Relations Chapter 15 Chapter 10. Dialogue of Civilizations: Objective Grounds and Theoretical Guidelines Chapter 16 Chapter 11. Critical International Theory and Dialogue of Civilizations Chapter 17 Chapter 12. Between Imperialism and Relativism: The Role of Culture in Defining Universal Human Rights Chapter 18 Chapter 13. Citizenship in a Globalizing World: The Role of Civilizational Dialogue Chapter 19 Chapter 14. The Dialogue of Civilizations as International Political Theory: Khatami and Havel
