PANEL DISCUSSION

The Clash of Civilisations: Plato VS the Rest of the World

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In 1993, Samuel Huntington published his famous essay: The Clash of Civilisations.
Central to this work was the idea that deeply rooted culture is more dominant than newly formed ideology.

"The West and the Rest": A central theme in his book is the tension between the West— which has been the dominant civilization for centuries—and other civilizations that are now reasserting their own cultural values and rejecting Western imposition.

Understanding the values of others seems more important than ever, as a wrong analysis of the values of "the Other" can lead to endless wars.

A central question will be: Do civilizations like "the West" have coherent values?Many people argue: There are no coherent values in "the West."

In our discussion, we will explore how our three analysts envision the world in 20 years:

  • Will Europe recover?
  • Will China be the No. 1 in the world?
  • Will there be a completely unexpected change—a kind of "black swan" event—like, for instance, the collapse of birthrates in many countries leading to an underpopulated world? South Korea, for example, will have almost no inhabitants by 2050, as fewer and fewer children are born; its birthrate is 0.75 children per woman.

Ivan Krastev is a leading voice on democracy, European politics, and global trends. His work combines scholarly rigor with accessible commentary, making him influential in both academic and public circles. Through his writings and speeches, he continues to shape discussions on the future of democracy and the challenges facing modern societies.

Migration and Demographics: Krastev argues that migration and demographic changes are transforming Western democracies, leading to what he calls "demographic panic."

Varouxakis has just published a major book titled The West: The History of an Idea. Varouxakis is a significant figure in the history of political thought, known for his nuanced analyses of nationalism, cosmopolitanism, and the ideological constructs of "the West" and "Europe." His work combines deep historical inquiry with contemporary political relevance.

Keyu Jin is an influential economist whose work provides valuable insights into China's economic model. While her perspectives are often optimistic and focused on dispelling Western myths, they are also critiqued for avoiding political controversies. Her unique position as a cultural bridge between East and West makes her a significant voice in global economic discourse.

LOCATION

Zuiderkerk

The Zuiderkerk is a 17th-century Protestant church in the Nieuwmarkt area of Amsterdam, the capital of the Netherlands. The church played an important part in the life of Rembrandt and was the subject of a painting by Claude Monet.

Zuiderkerkhof 72,  

1011 HJ Amsterdam

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