| Publication |
2008.
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| Summary/Abstract |
The West used to be one of those stable concepts that oriented the Westerners in their various activities around the world. Today it is a concept challenged from several sides. Through an overview of the basic historical meanings of the concept, this article focuses on the points of contestation and possible changes regarding the concept of the West. The most important challenge to the concept has been made by a debate over the actual status of the transatlantic relationship. Whereas the existence of a political West is strongly questioned within the debate over a possible transatlantic divide, there seems to be a parallel move in the reverse direction when the concept is used in opposition to Islam. Although the idea of a clash of civilizations is dismissed by many, it still plays an important role in reviving the West as a cultural and civilizational entity. We are thus witnessing an internal dismantling of the West alongside an external rearming of the concept.
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