Abstract
In the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, it was commonplace to think that "civilization" in its most desirable form was western civilization; in other words, a civilized culture was one that bore the features or the imprimatur of western influence. Despite this, many of the Asian elites who championed the cause of civilization were actually staunch nationalists - even jingoists and racists. The following paper will examine the relationship between claims of a universalistic conception of "civilization" and "particularist" nationalism and assert that Asian countries determining that it was in their best interests to embrace western civilization (or at least parts of it) did so on the grounds that they wanted to empower themselves in a fashion that would enable them to assert their sovereignty from external (especially western) threats. However, it does not automatically follow that the thinkers who embraced (partial) adoption of western civilization were motivated chiefly by nationalistic sentiments - though they certainly were motivated, in some cases, by jingoism. Rather, some leading thinkers and opinion-shapers of the late nineteenth and early twentieth century were animated by a pan-Asian vision in which the countries of Asia would unite against the western threat. In other variations of this, at least some Japanese thinkers took things one step further and insisted that Japan would rise up against the west and liberate Asia from the oppression of the western lands. In any event, the key thing to be taken away from this paper is that "universalistic (western) civilization" was a concept that Asian nations embraced, at least in part, because it meant that they would be able to use the ideas of the west to arm themselves.

From the Paper
The Uneasy Relationship between Notions of a Universal Modern Civilization and Particularist Nationalism In the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, it was commonplace to think that "civilization" in its most desirable form was western civilization; in other words, a civilized culture was one that bore the features or the imprimatur of western influence. Despite this, many of the Asian elites who championed the cause of civilization were actually staunch nationalists - even jingoists and racists. The following paper will examine the relationship between claims of a universalistic conception of "civilization" and "particularist" nationalism and assert

Tags:particularist, universalistic, civilization

Abstract
The following paper will argue that, while there may have been a general tendency in some quarters to believe that western civilization was the apogee of "civilization" - in other words, if it was not "western" it was not truly civilized - the reality is that many Asian elites, particularly those animated by racist and highly nationalistic thoughts - were only prepared to accept Asian civilization to the extent that it benefited their nations, or the Asian peninsula, to do so. In that sense, individuals who felt threatened by the west's military and industrial prowess were selective in how they embraced the strange foreign world that came knocking loudly at Asia's door in the latter-half of the nineteenth century. The thesis outlined above will be discussed and expanded upon using the following steps. Firstly, the paper will look at the country of Korea, a struggling nation at the turn of the twentieth century that seemed to think that its salvation lay in uncritically accepting the features of western society. From there, the paper will look at Japan and then at China, two nations that were ostensibly more culturally secure (this was certainly true of Japan) and thus were disinclined to accept the notion that western civilization constituted the height of human advancement; in the case of these two nations, the west was most likely only useful (this seems to be especially true in the case of Japan) to the extent that it offered an entree into technological ideas that would allow these nations to become more powerful and more secure.

From the Paper
Civilization, Racism and Colonialism: The Tense Relationship between Asian Nationalism, Jingoism and Racism and "Universalistic" Conceptions of Civilization The following paper will argue that, while there may have been a general tendency in some quarters to believe that western civilization was the apogee of "civilization" - in other words, if it was not "western" it was not truly civilized - the reality is that many Asian elites, particularly those animated by racist and highly nationalistic thoughts - were only prepared to accept Asian civilization to the extent that it benefited their nations, or the Asian peninsula, to do so. In that sense,

Tags:civilization, jingoism, asia

Abstract
This freshman paper shows how American civilization is probably the world's most peculiar civilization. As it came to replace the indigenous civilization of the native Indians, it also laid the foundations of a culture that was a mixture of several European cultures and trends. The following paper discusses the culture, influence of European colonialism, African migrants and the native Americans with respect to its development into a civilization.

Tags:ARCHITECTURE / CONTEMPORARY AND HISTORICAL STUDIES, origins american civilization

Abstract
The paper discusses how by the sixth century, the collapse of the Roman Empire was a well-established fact; as well, civilization had reached a low point insofar as cities had become depopulated and society had become rural and decentralized. With this in mind, the paper explores the factors and forces that allowed a new civilization in the west to arise; beyond that, this paper explores the stages or phases of its growth and development. Ultimately, the paper shows how while many factors led to the re-ascent of western civilization after the fall of Rome, it looks as though the Christian Church and a few capable leaders who still valued the transmission and protection of knowledge and civilized behaviour (Justinian being foremost among them) sowed the seeds for a new civilization to arise.

From the Paper
"By the sixth century, the collapse of the Roman Empire was a well-established fact; as well, civilization had reached a low point insofar as cities had become depopulated and society had become rural and decentralized. With this in mind, the next several pages will explore the factors and forces that allowed a new civilization in the west to arise; beyond that, this paper will explore the stages or phases of its growth and development. Ultimately, while many factors led to the re-ascent of western civilization after the fall of Rome, it looks as though the Christian Church and a few capable leaders who still valued the..."

Tags:collapse, post, roman, civilization

Abstract
This paper discusses the ways in which both the Black Death, or the plague, and the Renaissance have impacted Western civilization. It is argued that the Renaissance change civilization more dramatically, in a positive and productive manner, than did the plague and its aftermath, in particular because of the invention of the printing press and the ability to circulate knowledge farther and to a greater number of people than ever before.

From the Paper
Changes Wrought by the Black Death and the Renaissance in Western Civilization The plague, or Black Death as it has also been called, spread from Asia to Europe starting in 1347. Within three years almost one third of the population of Europe had died from the quickly-spreading disease. This number only hints at the hugely ruinous impact that the Black Death had on European civilization. This drop in population changed the entire constitution of Europe: its economy, its art production, its political warfare, and its religious practices. Eventually, however, the population of Europe returned to its pre-plague numbers and Europe flourished once

Tags:renaissance, plague, civilization

Abstract
This paper examines how, in his volume, "Civilization and its Discontents", Sigmund Freud tackles no less than the broad and ambitious concept of man's place in the world. It discusses how Freud looks at culture from his unique psychoanalytical perspective and touches upon a number of important concepts, including aggression, civilization and the individual, organized religion, the death drive and Eros, and the super-ego and conscience. It also looks at how "Civilization and its Discontents" was written a mere decade before the great psychoanalyst's death and how it is, in many ways, an important compilation of many of his most renowned theories on the mind, human nature, and the structure of human society.

From the Paper
"Freud suggests that culture's repression of aggression may ultimately be more damaging than unrestrained aggression, man's natural state. Freud is generally pessimistic about man's ability to maintain civilized life indefinitely. He argues that man's ability to tame the aggressive instinct will determine his ability to live within the boundaries of civilization. However, he argues that man's recently gained ability to destroy each other through modern warfare creates less hope that man will be able to live peacefully. He notes, "Men have gained control over the forces of nature to such an extent that with their help they would have no difficulty in exterminating one another to the last man."

Tags:culture, society, psychoanalysis, civilization, ego

Abstract
The following paper includes two short response papers combined into one. In the first, the emphasis is upon reviewing a scholarly excerpt by D.N. Jha that, among other things, looks at how the early Harappan civilization constructed its cities. The second paper looks at Buddhist architecture in early India and explores the extent to which Jha successfully captures this aspect of early India civilization in his writing.

From the Paper
"The Harappan civilization is sometimes passed over when discussing the great civilizations of the past. However, the simple truth of the matter is that this was a highly-evolved civilization with a highly-evolved form of urban planning - especially when one looks at the ancient cities of Mohenjo-daro and Harappa. For one thing, each city is distinguished by the fact that a citadel lies to the west of the metropolis; furthermore, each citadel is built upon a mound - presumably to facilitate the espying of enemies. In any case, below the citadel of each community extends the city itself, extending out "no less" than a square mile. The streets follow a..."

Tags:harappan, civilization, architecture

Abstract
The paper explores the main ideas in Sigmund Freud's "Civilization and Its Discontents" regarding religion, the nature of our relationships to each other, the function of civilization, guilt and the concept of the death drive. The paper relates that although some of the concepts proposed in his work may appear illogical and unverified today, we are very much receptive to them through their influence on popular culture in our time. The paper also points out that much of the strength of Freud's psychoanalysis can be attributed to his clinical practice, where he developed his theories by putting them into action.

From the Paper
"It has been stated that Sigmund Freud "is to psychology's history what Elvis is to rock music's history" (Myers, 2004). Freud's theory on the unconscious was and still is widely popular within popular culture, forming the basis of and providing references for many works. In Civilization and Its Discontents (Freud, 1989), Freud comments on the cause and basis of religious sentiments, often criticizing their illogical nature and blind belief. Elaborating on the nature of civilization, Freud describes its oppression of the expression of instincts and, in turn, happiness. Continuing his explanation to how and why civilization was first formed, Freud shares his insights on the nature of our relationships to each other as driven by sexual desire."

Tags:psychoanalysis, religion, sexual, drive, civilization, guilt, death, drive, Oedipus, complex

Abstract
Many developments throughout history have had a great impact on human civilization. Some developments have had a positive effect and some have had negative effects. This essay discusses three developments or revolutions that have positively affected the history of humans: The agriculture revolution, scientific evolution and the evolution of writing. It explains how all have significantly affected human civilization and changed the way humans ate, thought, communicated and lived.

From the Paper
"The Agriculture Revolution, which took place during the Neolithic Age, is a positive development throughout history because it allowed humans to settle down and live a sedentary life. Before agriculture, humans relied on hunting and gathering, or raising animals for their food. Both created a nomadic lifestyle because hunters migrated with the animals and herders would have to move with their animals when grazing was exhausted (Adler 9). The shift to sedentary life was slow but ultimately led to a larger population and human civilization. This change created villages and towns where people lived and worked. The villages and towns, in turn, created culture. These villages allowed specialization of other occupations because it was not necessary for every individual to farm. The textbook says, "Efforts were more productive for the entire community if people specialized" (Adler 9). This revolution also created the idea of privately owned property and systematized regulation. Farmers wanted "permanent possession" of their land and systematized regulation enforced these rights (Adler 9). Another positive effect from the Agriculture Revolution was the growth of public role for women. These dramatic changes in human life were very gradual. Even though it took 200 to 400 years to complete this development, the Agriculture Revolution forever changed human life."

Tags:agriculture, civilization, development, evolution, human, revolution, scientific, writing

Abstract
This paper examines Rome as the heir of Hellenistic civilization. The paper further considers that Rome had a strong culture before taking over the Hellenic world. Additionally, it addresses how Rome based its culture on absorbing other cultures and then building upon them.

From the Paper
"The nature of Roman civilization has always been a very controversial topic. Most of the controversy is concerned with the originality of Roman civilization. Some researchers argue that Roman civilization was simply a pale imitation of Greek culture instead of a true Hellenistic civilization. Other researchers argue that although Roman civilization borrowed elements from the Greeks and other civilizations it combined them in unique ways. This essay will argue that Roman civilization is a true heir to Hellenistic civilization. It will be argued that Roman culture was based..."

Tags:rome, hellenistic, civilization