Civilizational Dialogue and Political Thought: Tehran Papers

(Paperback)

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Civilizational Dialogue and Political Thought: Tehran Papers gathers together Islamic and Western scholars to answer the call of Mohammed Khatami, former president of Iran, and the United Nations General Assembly for a "Dialogue of Civilizations," a global dialogue for peace. Based in international relations, comparative politics, political theory, and philosophy, the essays in this collection stand in direct challenge to Samuel Huntington's "clash of civilizations" thesis. They testify to the urgency and the viability of the agenda of civilizational dialogue as a guidepost and ethical paradigm for the global community.

Reviews

'Dialogue of Civilizations' means a true understanding of the world's cultural map and taking a critical look at the 'self' and the 'other.' It presupposes knowledge of the past heritage while seeking and encouraging new experiences. . . . As a new chapter in human history, 'Dialogue of Civilizations' can upgrade human relations from the stage of negative tolerance to positive cooperation. According to this notion, 'others' should not just be tolerated, but be accepted as partners. 'Dialogue of Civilizations' starts with toleration and leads to respect for the other's freedom, while maintaining self-trust and trust in the world. -- from the foreword by Mohammed Khatami, Former President of Iran
This collection of essays exemplifies what it endeavors to describe and advocate: the possibility and intellectual benefits of dialogue among civilizations. -- Ahmad Sadri, Lake Forest College
A highly significant contribution to the effort to form new foundations for international relations, this book brings to western readers a rare occasion to become familiar with Iranian thinkers and their rich visions regarding contemporary international conflicts. Responding to the incendiary notion of 'Clash of Civilizations' and its antidote 'Dialogue among Civilizations,' proposed by President Khatami, these Iranian thinkers establish a dialogue of their own with their western counterparts to forge sophisticated theoretical approaches for building consensual global bonds among nations and civilizations. -- Farzin Vahdat, author of God and Juggernaut: Iran's Intellectual Encounter with Modernity
In an insane world of global panic where war, terrorism, violence, nuclear proliferation, and security have dominated our daily discourse, to discuss dialogue is both refreshing and a good reminder. It is refreshing that the discussion has taken place in Tehran, the place the popular media depicts as the centre of violence and terrorism. This discussion is also a reminder that while humans are capable of clash and violence, we are also a species of reason and constructive interaction. This collection of a dozen essays skillfully captures many sophisticated dimensions of this trait in human civilization. -- Farhang Rajaee, Carleton University

Author Bio

Fred Dallmayr is Packey J. Dee professor in the departments of philosophy and political science at the University of Notre Dame.
Abbas Manoochehri is senior lecturer in political theory at the Tarbiat Modares University in Tehran.