The essay shared below is on a theme on which I have pondered for some time. Some words of introduction are offered.
When we speak of civilisations in world history, one tends to immediately bring to mind the large bloc-coloured maps showing the five or six major World Civilizations we are so used to seeing. As I also mention in the essay that follows, conceptualising WC’s in this way is a legacy of using the ahistorical model of nation-states (as represented in maps of political geography). In my essay, I take a different approach, concerning myself more with the civilising process than the ‘surface level’ outcome. I would say instead of looking at Civilizations architecturally, as world historic edifices subject to decay and collapse, I look at the civilising process as a sort of network, which can grow and adapt much more organically
In my view, there’s much more to learn from such an approach, especially in our times when there seems to be a fixation on the idea of decline, particularly in the West. Ignoring for the moment the ahistoricity of this discourse, despite its problems it at least encourages one to think of the dynamics of the so called rise and fall, and the processes of growth and decline. Thinking of the civilising process offers us a way of understanding these dynamics, and actively participating in shaping them rather than being bystanders to the march of history.
The essay commentary that follows is primarily a contemplation on the dynamics of the civilising process, from the perspective of Sikh history. Though it is longish essay at 3500 words, I have only scratched the surface. Hope you find the ideas shared stimulating, whether towards agreement or disagreement, and if so, I would highly appreciate hearing from you.