TOWARDS A NEW-WORLD SYSTEM - A CULTURAL-PERSPECTIVE

What would the world system look like from a cultural perspective? How would it function? These questions are assuming greater and greater i mportance and urgency as the present system breaks down and culture in creasingly becomes a potent force in community, regional, national and international affairs. In an attempt to answer these questions, an in itial cut is taken at piecing together a 'cultural portrait' of the wo rld system of the future. Based on such foundations as utilization of culture's long and distinctive intellectual tradition, acceptance, of the holistic character of culture, adoption of a cultural interpretati on of history, and affirmation of culture's highest, wisest and most e nduring principles, rather than basest and crudest practices, it is a portrait which makes culture and cultures the centrepiece of the world system of the future. Within this system, much more attention will ha ve to be given to the creation of an indivisible world, a global feder ation of world cultures, international cooperation, collaboration, car ing and sharing, cultural education, and realization of people's needs , rights and responsibilities. A world cultural transformation is prop osed as the best vehicle for achieving this. Copyright (C) 1996 Elsevi er Science Ltd