Notes on "The West: A New History of an Old Idea"

The West: A New History of an Old Idea

The assertion that "western civilization" is under threat has become a rallying cry for segments of the politically right, frequently intertwined with appeals to white nationalism. This rhetoric posits a distinct and valuable cultural entity, originating in a supposedly pure and glorious past, now endangered by internal and external forces deemed antithetical to its core values. However, a close examination of the concept of "the West," drawing upon historical analysis and critical perspectives, reveals it to be a fluid, invented construct rather than a monolithic reality. Furthermore, the deployment of this concept in service of white nationalism carries significant dangers, fostering exclusion, justifying oppression, and obscuring the complex and interconnected nature of human history and culture.

The very notion of a singular, continuous "western civilization" is a relatively recent invention, primarily emerging in the 18th and 19th centuries. As historian Josephine Quinn argues, the idea that "Western Civilization" began in ancient Greece, passed the baton to Rome, through the Middle Ages and Christendom, to the present day, is a "myth". This linear narrative constructs a seemingly unbroken lineage, fostering a sense of cultural distinctiveness and homogeneity for Europe and the West, while downplaying or ignoring influences from other parts of the world. Naoíse Mac Sweeney, in her work, underscores this point by consistently capitalizing "Western Civilization" and "the West" to emphasize their nature as "invented abstract construct[s], rather than a neutral descriptive term". This capitalization serves as a constant reminder that these terms represent ideologically charged concepts rather than simple geographical designations.

The "origin myth of the West" typically anchors itself in the classical worlds of Greece and Rome. However, as Quinn points out, even within this foundational period, the concept of a unified "West" was absent. Ancient Greeks did not primarily identify as "European," and in fact, often associated Europe with "barbarity". Similarly, the Roman Empire, far from being a purely "Western" entity, embraced its "intercontinental and multicultural" heritage, tracing its lineage back to Asian Troy and governing an empire spanning three continents. To retroactively categorize these ancient societies as the pristine origin of a racially and culturally distinct "West" is to fundamentally misunderstand their self-perceptions and the interconnected world they inhabited. Mac Sweeney highlights the irony of modern political rhetoric invoking Greco-Roman antiquity, even when actions contradict the very principles supposedly inherited from these societies.

The construction of "the West" as a distinct entity gained significant traction during periods of European expansion and imperialism. The need to justify the subjugation of non-European "others" led to the crystallization of "the West" as a concept, with increasingly hardened borders around its imagined history. This narrative of "Western Civilization" served as a powerful "ideological tool", providing a seemingly historical justification for Western dominance and the establishment of racial hierarchies. As Mac Sweeney argues, this narrative was not necessarily the product of a deliberate conspiracy, but rather a piecemeal and haphazard weaving of "micronarratives" that served specific political ends, such as the idea of Athenian democracy justifying modern Western democracies.

The racialization of "the West" was a crucial development in its ideological deployment. In the 18th and 19th centuries, the concept of "whiteness" became increasingly central to the definition of who belonged to the "West," contrasting sharply with racialized "non-Westerners". Thinkers espousing scientific racism further fueled this division, constructing hierarchies that placed "white" Europeans at the pinnacle of human development and "Western" culture as inherently superior. This racialized understanding of "the West" provided a convenient justification for slavery, colonialism, and other forms of oppression, as non-white populations were deemed incapable of fully participating in or inheriting the legacy of "Western Civilization".

It is within this historical context of an invented, often racialized "West," constructed to justify power and inequality, that the politically right's current rhetoric of a "threatened western civilization" and calls for white nationalism must be understood. This discourse often draws upon a nostalgic and inaccurate vision of the past, imagining a time when "the West" was supposedly pure, dominant, and racially homogeneous. The perceived threats are often framed as stemming from immigration, cultural pluralism, and the questioning of traditional hierarchies, all of which are seen as diluting or undermining the supposed essence of "western civilization".

However, the idea of a besieged "West" requiring a defense rooted in white nationalism is fraught with dangers:

• Exclusion and Othering: By defining "the West" as inherently linked to whiteness, this rhetoric inevitably excludes and marginalizes individuals and communities within Western societies who do not fit this narrow racial definition. It fosters a sense of "us" versus "them," creating artificial divisions and undermining the potential for inclusive and diverse societies.
• Justification of Discrimination and Violence: The belief in a superior "western civilization" tied to a specific racial group can be used to justify discriminatory practices, systemic inequalities, and even violence against those deemed "outsiders" or threats to this imagined cultural purity. The historical precedent of using this narrative to rationalize slavery and colonialism serves as a stark warning.
• Historical Inaccuracy and Misrepresentation: This rhetoric relies on a fundamentally flawed and simplistic understanding of history, ignoring the constant cultural exchange, migration, and hybridity that have shaped all societies, including those within the geographical "West". It cherry-picks aspects of the past while conveniently overlooking inconvenient truths, such as the internal conflicts, injustices, and non-Western influences that have always been part of the story.
• Resistance to Progress and Change: The desire to return to a mythical "golden age" of "western civilization" often entails a resistance to social progress, inclusivity, and the recognition of historical wrongs. It can lead to the rejection of contemporary values like social liberalism, tolerance, and democracy when these are perceived as undermining the traditional (and often exclusionary) foundations of this imagined "West".
• Fueling of Political Extremism: The narrative of a threatened civilization can be a powerful tool for mobilizing extremist ideologies, including white nationalism. It creates a sense of urgency and crisis, encouraging radical action to "defend" a supposedly endangered way of life. As Mac Sweeney notes, some of the loudest voices warning against attacks on "the West" paradoxically come from camps that are themselves "fundamentally threatening Western values and principles".

Instead of clinging to this exclusionary and historically inaccurate notion of a racially defined "West" under threat, a more productive approach involves recognizing the dynamic and interconnected nature of history and culture. As Quinn argues, the traditional linear narrative of Western Civilization obscures a "much more complicated and entangled and connected" reality. Mac Sweeney proposes a new vision of Western history characterized by "dynamism, inclusivity, and change," emphasizing "cultural transmissibility and mobility" as central principles. This perspective acknowledges the diverse influences that have shaped Western societies and embraces the potential for ongoing cultural exchange and evolution.

Furthermore, as Mac Sweeney points out, the principles that many in the modern West consider central to their identity – "liberalism, social tolerance, and democracy" – often stand in contrast to the exclusionary and hierarchical underpinnings of the racialized "Western Civilization" narrative promoted by white nationalists. To genuinely uphold these modern values requires moving beyond the outdated and harmful fiction of a pure and threatened "West" defined by race.

In conclusion, the concept of "the West," particularly when conflated with a racially pure "western civilization" under siege, is a dangerous illusion. It is a historically contingent and ideologically loaded construct that has been used to justify power and inequality. The current deployment of this concept by the politically right in conjunction with calls for white nationalism risks fostering exclusion, inciting violence, and hindering the development of more just and inclusive societies. Embracing a more nuanced, historically accurate, and interconnected understanding of human history and culture is crucial to moving beyond the shadow of this harmful illusion and building a future based on shared values of equality and mutual respect.