And, in the shadow of the major civilization, before it disappeared in its turn, how many other cultures have perished without a trace? This immense tragedy is being lived now by many cultures, with great intensity. One has to belong to such a culture in course of extinction or dying slowly even before its flourishing, to understand the infinite distress of those who are helplessly watching the inexorable disappearance of their most precious values. With each dying culture, it is a unique flower that is withering never to bloom again, an incomparable fragrance that fades away forever. There is in the smallest idioms, there is in the “Weltanschauung” of the smallest tribe doomed to extinction treasures of wisdom and poetry. Lost…lost for all eternity. In the life of peoples, as in the whole Creation, the most striking thing that actually shocks the mind is the infinite waste of Nature. Those who at present are fortunate enough to belong to the universal cultures, may still live with the illusion of their perpetuity. But for how long? Indead what is left of Ancient Egypt, of Mesopotamia, of Crete, of Mexico and of Peru? And how can we be sure that our conceited race that for centuries extends its domination over peoples and things will not also fall one day in torpor and become apathetic? Neagu Djuvara

World Civilizations and History of Human Development is a component of Encyclopedia of Social Sciences and Humanities in the global Encyclopedia of Life Support Systems (EOLSS), which is an integrated compendium of twenty Encyclopedias. The Theme on World Civilizations and History of Human Development discusses the essential aspects such as Civilizational Analysis: A Paradigm in the Making; The European Civilizational Constellation: A Historical Sociology, African Civilizations: From the Pre-colonial to the Modern Day; Industrial Civilization; Global Civilization - Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow; Islamic Civilizations; War, Peace And Civilizations; History: The Meaning and Role of History in Human Development; Role of Human Societies in the History of The Biosphere; Environmentalism; Role of Gender and Family Identities in Human History; Modern Approaches to the Teaching of History; Developing Dialogues: The Value of Oral History; Historical Knowledge. Nature and Man: Orientations to Historical Time; Big History This volume is aimed at the following five major target audiences: University and College Students Educators, Professional Practitioners, Research Personnel and Policy Analysts, Managers, and Decision Makers, NGOs and GOs.

Incorporating original research, policy proposals and theory, these papers introduce the thinking of the eminent Chinese reform economist Li Yining.

Religion, Culture and Sustainable Development is a component of Encyclopedia of Social Sciences And Humanities in the global Encyclopedia of Life Support Systems (EOLSS), which is an integrated compendium of twenty one Encyclopedias. The Theme on Religion, Culture and Sustainable Development with contributions from distinguished experts in the field discusses matters of great relevance to our world such as: Religion, values, Culture and Sustainable Development. These three volumes are aimed at the following five major target audiences: University and College students Educators, Professional practitioners, Research personnel and Policy analysts, managers, and decision makers and NGOs.

This book gives an overview of all of Asian history from the eastern borders of Europe to the Pacific and from the birth of civilization to the present. It provides a broad framework and flexible method for thinking about the history of the people of Asia.

Theories of Globalization offers students and scholars a comprehensive and critical introduction to the concept of globalization. Barrie Axford expertly guides readers through the full range of perspectives on the topic, from international political economy to geography, global anthropology to cultural and communication studies. In so doing he draws out the common threads between competing theories, as well as pinpointing the problems that challenge our understanding of globalization. Key terms such as 'globalism' and 'globality' are carefully explained and central themes like capitalism, governance, culture and history explored in full. In assessing the contribution made by globalization theory, Axford's account also sheds new light on several crucial current issues. These range from the changing shape of democracy and citizen engagement with governance, to issues surrounding 'just war' and humane intervention, and problems relating to empire and post-colonialism. This wide-ranging and detailed new book will be essential reading for students and scholars of international politics, sociology and any area where the concept of globalization is discussed and disputed.