Tradition, modernity and European hegemony in the Mediterranean

Argyrou, Vassos

Abstract

This paper argues that tradition and modernity, invented in European societies with an eye both on the European past and the non-European present, are ontological categories which structure the way we think about the world. This means that the world is not merely a social construct, not merely a European construct, but also one among possible others - an arbitrary construct. It also means that to the extent that the Mediterranean societies internalise the division between tradition and modernity - either because they valorise the modern or reject it by means of the traditional - they reproduce a world not of their own making (except in a derivative sense) and remain culturally dependent on Europe and the West. The paper concludes by proposing a 'utopian' strategy for dealing with Western hegemony that claims the epistemological and ontological high ground.

Citation

Argyrou, V. (2002). Tradition, modernity and European hegemony in the Mediterranean. Journal of Mediterranean studies, 12(1), 23-42

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Dec 31, 2002
• Publication Date: Dec 31, 2002
• Journal: JOURNAL OF MEDITERRANEAN STUDIES
• Print ISSN: 1016-3476
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 12
• Issue: 1
• Pages: 23-42
• Public URL: https://hull-repository.worktribe.com/output/391282