The rise and fall of Eurocentrism By Randeep Wadehra

Eurocentrism by Samir Amin (Translation: Russell Moore)
Aakar. Pages: xiii+152. Price: Rs. 195/-

Eurocentrism was a result of European imperialism that had reached its zenith in the 19th century and waned in the aftermath of the Second World War in the 20th century that saw the rise of Americentrism. In every aspect of global cultural-political-economic activities European influence has had high visibility. If you look at the Eurasian continent there is no salient geographical feature that divides the White Europe from the “Colored” Asia. However, the European “continent” was demarcated on the basis of cultural commonality based on Greek and Roman heritage.
The author traces the global cultural center’s shift from “south of the Mediterranean” to the “shores of Atlantic” even as he investigates this phenomenon with particular reference to the rise of liberal capitalism and the decline of “Islamic-Arab” influence. This book is basically of archival importance as the 21st century is witnessing the rise of Asia as a new politico-cultural and economic power, bringing about a paradigm shift in the global center-periphery equations.
THE TRIBUNE