1. A major problem facing the human world
Human society is composed of different types of civilizations. In the long process of historical development, every nation and every country is creating its own civilization. Due to the differences in region, history and tradition, and the influence of various realistic factors, the isomorphism of human society in different regions, different periods and different traditions is always in the mode of production, lifestyle and way of thinking. And the corresponding cultural systems such as language, philosophy, science, literature and art, ethics, religion, public institutions, state, politics, law, technology, etc., show different degrees of uniqueness. At a higher level, it further constitutes some different types of civilization. A hundred flowers blossom, and the whole human civilization presents a distinct diversity.
The famous historian Toynbee once listed 2 1 types of civilization, which can be traced back to ancient times from the existing Western European civilization, the Far East civilization and the Christian civilization. Although his classification and explanation can't be said to be completely scientific, it undoubtedly confirms the existence of the diversity of world civilizations. Although Huntington's theory of clash of civilizations is biased, its theoretical basis is based on the existence of different types of civilizations. He believes that "villages, regions, ethnic groups, nationalities and religious groups have their own uniqueness at different levels of cultural particularity." "Although cultural boundaries are rarely as obvious as national boundaries, cultural differences are real."
The historical facts of the development of world civilization tell us that diversity is the basic feature of world civilization. Since ancient times, there has never been a unified type of civilization. On the contrary, every civilization is stubbornly demonstrating its diversity. It exists in diversity, develops in diversity and progresses in diversity.
The diversity of civilizations is not isolated from each other. Since its birth, various civilizations have carried out different forms of contact and exchanges with life and economic activities as the link. With the expansion of economic scale, the improvement of civilization and the close social contact, this kind of communication has become faster and faster, with more and more levels and larger scale, thus reaching a high level. As early as 10. When analyzing the formation of the capitalist world market, Marx and Engels pointed out: "In the past, the self-sufficiency and isolation of local and ethnic groups were replaced by mutual exchanges and interdependence of all ethnic groups. The same is true of the production of material and spiritual products. The spiritual products of all ethnic groups have become the property of the public. The one-sidedness and limitations of ethnic groups are becoming increasingly impossible. " .
Today, the relationship between human civilizations is closer. With the rapid development of science and technology, the great improvement of transportation and communication methods, and the increasing promotion of economic globalization, the whole world has become more and more closely linked. The concept of a small "global village" can fully express the present situation and future of human relations.
This globalization trend not only breaks the traditional economic barriers, but also breaks the spiritual and cultural barriers to some extent. The interaction among countries in economy, politics, science and technology, culture, education, military affairs and social life is getting deeper and deeper, all of which are more or less linked with the word "civilization". Science and technology, culture and education belong to "culture" in themselves. In fact, it is inseparable from "civilization." On the contrary, behind all their connotations is some kind of civilization. Civilization permeates all aspects of social life, as well as exchanges and contacts between different countries, different nationalities and different groups.
The diversity of civilizations, of course, means differences. There are differences in content, form and development level. It is because of all kinds of differences that there will be communication and mutual learning. At the same time, under certain conditions, there will be no friction and conflict.
Therefore, this raises a question of how to recognize and treat the diversity of world civilizations, which is actually to deal with the relationship between various civilizations.
In the history of human civilization development for thousands of years, the relationship between various civilizations was once in a very complicated state. Many civilizations can get along well with each other, communicate on an equal footing, learn from each other and blend naturally. However, some of them, because of their differences, have contributed to the contradictions and conflicts between countries and nations. Some even expand and invade in the name of civilization.
In today's world, the exchange and development of civilization is more and more extensive and in-depth. There have also been many new situations and characteristics in the relationship between civilizations. In the mainstream, due to the expansion of cultural exchanges between countries, the improvement of transportation and communication tools, the increase and speed of information transmission, cultures of various countries learn from each other and have a tendency to accelerate integration. The essence of world civilization extends to every corner of the world. All mankind likes it. On the other hand, there are some unhealthy and even dangerous tendencies in the relations between different civilizations in the world. Some developed countries have a deep-rooted "superiority theory of western civilization", trying to attribute the contradiction between a few countries and developing countries to the conflict between excellent civilization and backward civilization, so as to prove the rationality and necessity of new hegemonism.
In this case, how to correctly understand and treat the diversity of world civilization is of more important and urgent significance.
Second, the key is how to recognize and treat the diversity of world civilization.
The diversity of civilization exists objectively. The key to correctly handle the relationship between different civilizations is how to recognize and treat this diversity.
First of all, there should be a scientific evaluation of the diversity of world civilization, which is not only an objective fact, but also a positive and important factor to promote the progress and development of world civilization.
It is still difficult to determine whether the origin of human beings is multi-source or one source, but the development of human civilization is undoubtedly multi-line. Every civilization has its own unique historical development process. This development does not exclude the development of other civilizations, nor does it necessarily presuppose the decline of other civilizations. On the contrary, the development of various civilizations can go hand in hand. At the same time, in the process of development, they communicate with each other, influence each other, absorb each other and merge with each other.
For example, Arabic numerals, compasses, gunpowder, paper and many other important inventions of the eastern nations have had a decisive impact on western civilization. The centuries-long communication between Islamic civilization and the West laid the foundation for the development of mathematics, science, medicine and agriculture in medieval Europe. In modern times, the rapidly rising western civilization had a great influence on the eastern countries, while the eastern civilization still had a certain influence on the west in different ways. For example, Chinese medicine, a pure China thing, has been welcomed by many people in the west. It is in this diverse exchange and integration that human civilization keeps advancing. Different types of civilizations have their unique characteristics and manifestations, and there are many things that human beings share. After long-term communication, there are more and more such elements, which constitute the basic wealth of human civilization. Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Islam, Judaism, Sikhism and Taoism all put forward many identical views on the relationship between man and the environment, the criteria for handling social relations, the norms of marriage and family, the goals and significance of life, and thus share some common values.
Therefore, the overall content and value of world civilization are not only composed of the same values in various civilizations, but also enriched, integrated, promoted and developed by the colorful diversity of different civilizations. Human civilization is the unity of universality and diversity. Universality lies in diversity, and diversity cannot be separated from universality. It can be said that the formation and integration of universality in diversity is a basic law of the development of human civilization. In this sense, diversity is paramount.
Second, we should correctly understand the relationship between civilization differences and international conflicts.
There are differences between different types of civilizations, and friction and conflict will certainly occur under certain conditions, which may constitute what people often say in recent years. Samuel huntington, a professor of political science at Harvard University in the United States, put forward the theory of "clash of civilizations", arguing that in the new world situation after the end of the Cold War, the fundamental cause of international conflicts will no longer be ideological or economic factors. The dominant factor of human differences and conflicts will be cultural differences. The clash of civilizations will dominate global politics.
Huntington's theory of clash of civilizations reveals the cultural factors in international political conflicts and the new characteristics of international political conflicts after the Cold War, which is conducive to our comprehensive analysis of complex phenomena in international relations. However, Huntington failed to reveal the real source of international conflicts after the Cold War, and further, he failed to correctly clarify the relationship between various civilizations in the world.
We can't underestimate the profundity, extensiveness and persistence of conflicts between different types of civilizations. Historically, there have been countless wars and violent conflicts among various tribes, nations, countries and regions of mankind. If we analyze its social and historical roots, there are often factors of cultural conflict to varying degrees. However, throughout the history of the world, strictly speaking, the so-called cultural or civilized conflict is only one of the backgrounds that caused some wars or violent conflicts. The most direct, main and fundamental reason for these wars or violent conflicts lies in interests, in the contradiction between economic interests or national interests to some extent, in the pursuit of wealth, land and power by some social forces and the expansion of their own interests.
For example, many religious wars in history are conflicts between different religions or sects in form, and cultural conflicts are very strong, but the essence is still inseparable from material interests.
In modern times, the colonial aggression of western powers against vast areas of Asia, Africa and Latin America has often been under the banner of spreading civilization, but in fact, it is not difficult for anyone to find out their real purpose of plundering wealth, seizing the market, exploiting and enslaving colonial people. Why else would you kill so many aborigines? Why turn millions of black people into slaves? Why export opium to China and even burn the Yuanmingyuan, the treasure of human civilization? What do these robber-like behaviors have in common with "spreading" civilization?
Although ideology is an important reason for the confrontation between the Soviet Union and the United States in the decades after the war, it is still a struggle for interests behind ideology. The fundamental purpose of the United States is to actively pursue the policy of containment or "beyond containment" in order to maintain its hegemonic position in the world. The Arab-Israeli conflict that has lasted for many years is of course a conflict between ethnic groups with different cultural and religious backgrounds, but one of the focuses of its struggle is still the land and rivers in the Middle East and the territorial scope of their respective countries, especially.
In fact, all kinds of violent conflicts in human history not only occurred between nations and countries with different civilization types, but also occurred in a large number of countries with the same civilization type. For hundreds of years, wars between European countries have occurred frequently, but to some extent, they all have the same cultural background. European monarchs intermarry with each other and are often regarded as brothers in diplomatic documents, but their battles on the battlefield are not inferior at all. Therefore, Huntington also admitted that in the past, conflicts between princes, nations and countries, and ideologies "were probably internal conflicts of western cultures. This is true of the Cold War, the two world wars and the earlier 17, 18 and even 19 th century wars. "
Therefore, the clash of civilizations is not the fundamental and direct cause of all kinds of violent conflicts, nor is it the only aspect of the relationship between different civilizations. It is not comprehensive to use "clash of civilizations" to summarize the relationship between all types of civilizations and the modes of various conflicts.
Then, after the end of the Cold War, will the clash of civilizations replace the political and economic conflict and become the new main mode of international politics? This should be analyzed in detail. Admittedly, Huntington pointed out an important factor of future world conflicts. The friction between the values of different civilization types will restrict the political, economic and diplomatic relations between different countries, nationalities and regions in a deep level, while the western civilization represented by developed countries will continue to erode various non-western civilizations by virtue of its economic advantages. This kind of conflict constitutes the internal pressure structure in international politics. It also poses a real threat to non-western civilization. However, the clash of civilizations is generally manifested in the friction and collision of different modes of production, lifestyles and ways of thinking, which has subtle characteristics. If there is any external conflict in world political affairs, it can be asserted that the main reason is based on practical interests. Huntington's paintings of various conflicts in the cultural fault line may have more cultural background and the color of "clash of civilizations", which will make the conflicts in these areas more complicated and difficult to solve. But in the final analysis, it is still impossible for them to transcend the practical interests of politics and economy and truly become a pure "clash of civilizations." As long as the real interests are solved, the fog of all civilization or cultural problems will disappear.
Third, we should not only see the differences, contradictions and conflicts between civilizations, but also see the unity and existence, and actively promote exchanges between different civilizations.
In some cases, the cultural factors behind the "clash of civilizations" or the conflict of interests are objective, but they are only one aspect of the relationship between various types of civilizations, not the whole. Therefore, we should not only see the differences, contradictions and conflicts among various civilizations, but also see their unity and existence. Generally speaking, diverse civilizations have a positive effect on the development of world civilization.
Therefore, the fundamental starting point for us to treat the diversity of civilizations should be to promote mutual understanding, mutual respect, mutual reference and mutual absorption among civilizations, and to achieve * * * common development and * * * common prosperity, instead of intentionally or unintentionally expanding contradictions and conflicts among civilizations, or even excluding or suppressing the development of some civilizations.
To correctly understand and treat the diversity of world civilizations, it is necessary to actively strengthen learning and exchanges between different civilizations. Emphasizing diversity and demanding respect for diversity does not mean that all civilizations in the world should be closed to the outside world. Every civilization must constantly exchange information, energy and resources with other civilizations in order to maintain its vigorous vitality. Otherwise, it will die on its own and embark on the road of decline and extinction.
Therefore, opening up to the outside world is a common trend in the development of the world today. Every civilization objectively strengthens exchanges with other civilizations, learns from other civilizations, and constantly abandons things that are behind the times. In this process, there will inevitably be collisions and conflicts between different civilizations. The influence and erosion of western civilization on eastern civilization will inevitably increase. We should have a full and sober understanding, pay attention to distinguish different situations and take different countermeasures. We should boldly accept truly advanced civilization and resolutely resist the dross brought about by mixed fish and dragons. We should neither be conceited nor belittle ourselves.
Fourth, look at the differences and advantages and disadvantages of eastern and western civilizations comprehensively and objectively.
Contemporary western civilization is powerful and influential, and there are many things worth learning. It is our outstanding task to study and learn from its essence of science and technology, management methods, rules and methods of market economy.
On the other hand, it should be noted that western civilization is not the healthiest, most perfect, most active and most effective civilization type in the modernization process of all countries in the world. On the contrary, oriental civilization has its weaknesses, but its values and ideas in emphasizing collectivism, mutual assistance and love, emotion, family and order have constantly proved that it is not only for economic modernization, but also for the overall progress of human society. In particular, creating a good quality of life, maintaining the harmonious balance between man and nature, and maintaining the stability of all levels of society have incomparable positive effects, which are exactly what western civilization advocating extreme individualism and liberalism lacks. Therefore, eastern countries and nations should have full confidence that their civilization will not be assimilated by the West, but will only be more brilliant and contribute to modernization after eclecticism and integration of the essence of eastern and western civilizations.
Third, the times call for the establishment of a new order of international civilization.
Looking at the human society in the 2 1 century, while the global economic and political ties are constantly strengthened, the relationship between civilizations is becoming more and more prominent and in-depth. How to deal with the relationship between various types of civilizations has become a very urgent problem.
The rich and colorful civilizations in the world have both the necessity of exchanges and cooperation and the possibility of contradictions and conflicts. How can we be unified? The key is to establish systems, procedures and norms, that is, to establish a new international civilized order.
Therefore, while continuing to advocate the establishment of a new international political order and a new international economic order, we should further demand the establishment of a new international civilized order.
First of all, the establishment of a new international civilization order is the need of the development trend of economic globalization.
More and more economic activities in the contemporary world go abroad, forming international production and management, forming a complex situation in which you have me, I have you and are intertwined. The economic development of each country is increasingly linked with the utilization of external resources and the development of the international market. However, its national interests and security have also encountered greater risks and challenges. Economic globalization seems to be a purely economic issue, but it is also a civilized issue.
How does the global market economy work? What are the rules for economic and trade exchanges between countries? How can the stock, securities, exchange rate and investment markets develop healthily? And so on, all involve various values, institutional systems and operating rules. A large number of rules formulated by the World Trade Organization are not only established according to the needs of economic activities, but also the crystallization of human civilization to some extent. It reflects the level of human understanding of the laws of economic activities around the world. The establishment of these rules is actually the result of the integration of different civilizations. And its implementation, we will still touch the different understandings and concepts of different civilizations on the same thing and the same problem. Behind every transaction, negotiation and agreement, the influence and function of different civilizations will be found. In order to promote the development of economic globalization, make this globalization more beneficial to developing countries and poor people, and make economic exchanges between countries more standardized and orderly, we must speed up the construction of a new international civilized order.
Second, the establishment of a new international civilized order is the need for the healthy development of international political relations.
At present, there are 6 billion people in the world, 65,438+00,000 ethnic groups or tribes with different cultural backgrounds, about 200 state regimes based on different political ideas, hundreds of international organizations with different interests, more than 5,000 languages and more than 5,000 religious beliefs. How can so many different forms of human beings coexist peacefully on the same planet?
The United Nations and other types of international organizations have established the framework of the world political system from a certain angle, with countless charters, treaties, agreements, statements and announcements. Woven the warp and weft of international political relations. All these are also the fruits of the development of human civilization, which is a political civilization suitable for the reality of the contemporary world. The world needs peace, security and stability, all of which cannot be achieved and maintained by force alone. It needs the popularization and application of human civilization. Only by formulating more detailed and strict civilized rules and vigorously promoting the construction of a new international civilized order can people have a clearer understanding of each other's interests, have a more friendly attitude towards their respective civilizations, and use civilized means instead of uncivilized means such as war and plunder to solve contradictions and conflicts.
Third, the establishment of a new international civilization order is the need of the development trend of scientific and technological revolution.
Science and technology itself is an integral part of human civilization. Revolutionary changes in the field of science and technology will not only affect people's value system by changing the mode of production in society, but also affect people's spiritual world by changing the way of life in society. From a broader perspective, it has also profoundly affected the political, economic, cultural and military pattern of the whole world. Only from the invention and development of telephone, film and television in the past 65,438+000 years can we see every development of science and technology.
Using scientific and technological achievements, people can enjoy the achievements of human civilization and deepen mutual understanding and trust, which not only promotes the development of society, but also promotes the sublimation of human spirit. Of course, science and technology is a double-edged sword to some extent, and it will also be used by some forces to mislead people's spiritual life and even engage in evil activities. Therefore, how to formulate more scientific rules in the field of science and technology according to the requirements of civilization and guide and establish a new international civilized order has become a top priority. How to protect intellectual property rights? How to exchange scientific and technological achievements? Which areas can be explored, and which areas, such as human cloning and manufacturing weapons of mass destruction, should be restricted and prohibited? And so on, all need certain rules and establish the necessary order.
Fourth, the establishment of a new international civilization order is the need of world cultural development and exchange.
In the contemporary world, the cultures of different countries are widely communicating and infiltrating through advanced means of communication. The rapid development of the Internet has greatly shortened the time and space distance of human communication, making it possible for people in Qian Shan to exchange information and ideas instantly. The ubiquitous TV and radio signals transmit a lot of information, release the opinions of some people or those people, and even easily make rumors as popular as a plague. Of the total world trade,
Naturally, in this cultural cycle, the powerful United States occupies a great advantage. Today, America's biggest export products are no longer crops in the fields or products produced by factories. It is mass-produced popular culture-movies, TV programs, music, books and computer software. The entertainment industry all over the world is full of American-made products. The international sales of American software and entertainment products reached $60.2 billion in 199 1 year. US intellectual property exports increased by nearly 94%. This does not include a lot of piracy. Reader's Digest is published in 19 languages, and the circulation of 48 international editions is 28 million. Metropolis has become the best-selling women's magazine in the world. * * * 36 foreign versions. 1997, the overseas box office income of American movies was 5.85 billion dollars. A Titanic earned $600 million at home and1200 million overseas. It is reported that 96% of the films shown in Canadian cinemas are foreign films, mainly American films. The magazines and books sold on the newsstand are as follows. Mainly the United States. 1987, the overall share of the United States in the EU film market was 56%, and 1996 reached 70%.
In the face of such a large-scale cultural exchange and market, even the silent cultural infiltration, how to deal with all kinds of contradictions and conflicts arising from it if a new international civilized order is not established quickly? How can we ensure that cultural exchanges are carried out in a standardized and orderly manner? How can we limit the expansion of cultural hegemonism?
Fifth, the establishment of a new world civilization order is still the need to correctly handle the relationship between so-called "advanced civilization" and "backward civilization" and oppose cultural hegemonism.
For a long time, some people in western countries hold a one-sided and blind "western cultural superiority theory", which is often used as an excuse to belittle, interfere, suppress and even invade non-western countries. This "western cultural superiority theory" is actually one of the "theoretical bases" for the West to pursue hegemonism.
There are differences in the development of human civilization, not only in content and form, but also in the level and degree of development in a certain cross section of history. However, this difference cannot be the only criterion for evaluating the contribution of various civilization types to human civilization, and it cannot be the reason why a so-called "advanced" civilization suppresses or even destroys a so-called "backward" civilization.
Why? Because the development of human civilization is always unbalanced. Under different historical conditions, there is often a certain civilization in the leading position, but with the variation of historical conditions, this position will often be replaced by new other types of civilizations, thus forming a new civilization pattern in the new historical cross-section. This change is continuous, so few civilizations of all types that have appeared in history have always been in the leading position. When the ancient Egyptian civilization was quite developed, the Greek and Roman civilization was still at a very low level. In ancient times, Greek civilization was obviously superior to Central Europe and Northern Europe, but with the passage of time, Central Europe and Northern Europe have surpassed Greek civilization.
When a civilization is in decline, we can't deny its contribution to world civilization in history; When a civilization is more advanced, there is no reason to be conceited and put on a posture of abandoning me. Although the ancient Babylonian civilization declined later, its civilization achievements, such as creating cuneiform characters, compiling code of hammurabi, measuring pi to 3, determining lunar calendar method and setting leap month, who can deny its contribution to mankind? When China's civilization experienced a history of 5,000 years and was in the leading position in the world for a long time, today's "American civilization" was not born at that time. Who can deny the right of the American nation to survive and develop with this difference? Even in the same era, both advanced civilization types and relatively backward civilization systems can make their own contributions to world civilization and have their own precious essence.
Therefore, backward civilization should learn from advanced civilization and abandon its own dross, but there is no need to belittle itself; Advanced civilization should help backward civilization, but there is no reason to pretend to be "the overlord of civilization" and despise other civilized countries and nations. It is also of great significance to solve all kinds of prejudices about civilization types and promote the establishment of a new international civilization order.
The world needs peace, security and stability. The world also needs to move towards a higher level of civilization. Therefore, while striving to establish a new international political and economic order, we should put forward the requirements of establishing a new international civilized order in a timely and loud manner.