The Strange Persistence of Universal History in Political Thought

This book explores and explains the reasons why the idea of universal history, a form of teleological history which holds that all peoples are travelling along the same path and destined to end at the same point, persists in political thought. Prominent in Western political thought since the middle of the eighteenth century, the idea of universal history holds that all peoples can be situated in the narrative of history on a continuum between a start and an end point, between the savage state of nature and civilized modernity. Despite various critiques, the underlying teleological principle still prevails in much contemporary thinking and policy planning, including post-conflict peace-building and development theory and practice. Anathema to contemporary ideals of pluralism and multiculturalism, universal history means that not everyone gets to write their own story, only a privileged few. For the rest, history and future are taken out of their hands, subsumed and assimilated intoother people's narrative.

Offers a trenchant critical approach to the persistent, powerful, and problematic idea of universal history in political thought, policy, and development Engages with key underlying guiding principles and policy documents of organizations such the UNDP, IMF, and World Bank Addresses the historical, religious, and cultural origins and limits of the idea of teleological history, incorporating perspectives from postcolonialism and pluralism

Autorentext
Brett Bowden is Professor of History and Politics at Western Sydney University. His recent major publications include Direct Hit: The Bombing of Darwin Post Office (2016), Civilization and War (2013), and the multi-awardwinning Empire of Civilization: the Evolution of an Imperial Idea (2009).

Inhalt

1. In the Beginning.- 2. Universal History.- 3. Progressive History.- 4. Making History.- 5. The Ends.