Every so often a book comes our way which challenges us to think outside the box. This rich collection of essays does just that. Each author, while reflecting his own distinctive philosophical and cultural standpoint, addresses two questions which go to the heart of our current predicament. Given the steady decline of Western political and cultural hegemony side by side with accelerating globalization, what are the prospects of constructing a relatively peaceful world order? Is civilizational difference part of the problem or part of the solution? The answers are diverse, often provocative, and invariably insightful.
