Decay of Western Civilisation and Resurgence of Russia

Dr Glenn Diesen is Visiting Scholar at the Higher School of Economics in Moscow and Adjunct Research Fellow at Western Sydney University. Dr Diesen specialises in Russia's approach to European and Eurasian integration, and the dynamics between the two. This includes central topics such as ideology, energy and geoeconomics. He is the author of EU and NATO Relations with Russia (Routledge, 2015) and Russia's Geoeconomic Strategy for a Greater Eurasia (Routledge, 2017).

"Dr. Diesen’s book is a rare specimen of intellectual courage, even bravery. It is also very well researched and a pleasure to read. Dealing with a difficult and ideologized subject the author is able to stay analytical. One of the best works in political philosophy written in recent years. A must reading for those trying to understand where the world is moving." - Sergei A. Karaganov - Higher School of Economics, Moscow"In this exciting and original work, Diesen challenges much of the accepted thinking about global order and the dynamics of international politics today. Diesen provides a powerful critique of post-Cold War liberalism and explains how the rise of populism challenges dominant discourses. In this battle Russia appears to side with the insurgency, but the depth of Russia’s commitment to global change is unclear. This book is essential reading in helping us understand the vital issues in this debate." - Richard Sakwa - University of Kent"The two main questions of our time are whether the liberal West survives and learns to coexist with Russia. In this timely book Glenn Diesen analyzes the West's ability to recover from the rise of populism and offers a sharp critique of the Western tendency to scapegoat Russia." - Andrei P. Tsygankov, San Francisco State University"Diesen's The Decay of Western Civilization is civilizational analysis on the scale of Spengler or Sorokin. One need not accept Diesen's thesis of decline to appreciate the grandeur of his vision." - Salvatore Babones, University of Sydney"A very unorthodox, controversial and though-provoking book. A valuable source helping to understand complex dynamics of political and economic megatrends in the modern world". - Andrey Kortunov, Director General of the Russian International Affairs Council."In the 20th century, Russia was the model society for the world’s communists, but for centuries before that, Russia was the go-to country for Europe’s radical conservatives. We are now coming full circle. Diesen’s book is of key interest as perhaps the best example of this to date". - Iver B. Neumann, Norwegian Institute of International Affairs

• Introduction Theorising Civilisations Chapter 1 – Civilisations Balanced Between Gemeinschaft and Gesellschaft Chapter 2 – The Cyclical Rise, Decline and Rebirth of Civilisations Rise and Fall of Political Liberalism Chapter 3 – Western Civilisation as an Amalgam of Political Liberalism and Nationhood Chapter 4 – The Postmodernist Graveyard of Western Civilisation Rise and Fall of Economic Liberalism Chapter 5 – The Rise of Western Geoeconomics as the Tool for Neo-Gesellschaft Chapter 6 – Unconstrained Economic Liberalism: Death of Community and Society Resurgence of Russia: Neomodernism and Geoeconomics Chapter 7 – The Geography of Russia’s Gemeinschaft and Gesellschaft Chapter 8 – Russia’s Eurasian Resurgence: Neomodernism and Geoeconomics Chapter 9 – The Rise of ‘Populists’ in the West and Their Affinity Towards Russia Conclusion: Cooperation and Competition in the Post-Western World