Image for Civilization: how we all became American

Civilization: how we all became American

See all formats and editions

A century ago, the author argues, there was a European civilization of which America was an outlying culture; but today the relationship is reversed. 'In 1900, an American of taste was a European in exile; in 2000, a trendy European is a frustrated American - or one waiting for a visa.' Characteristic of American civilization is its three overarching fetishes: space, image and happiness.

America is a civilization of space and image, whereas Europe was one of time and writing. And its kitsch infantilism blinds itself to the tragic complexities of human life.

A measure of America's success is how its 'globish' jargon has so successfully infiltrated European languages.

For Debray, the dominance of American civilization is a historical fait accompli, yet he sees a model for Europe in Vienna after its exclusion from the German Reich.

Read More
Available
£55.00
Add Line Customisation
Available on VLeBooks
Add to List
Product Details
Verso
178873405X / 9781788734059
eBook (EPUB)
306
05/03/2019
England
English
192 pages
Copy: 20%; print: 20%
Translated from the French Description based on CIP data; resource not viewed.