T H E O L O G O S - Prešovská univerzita v Prešove

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Asia. If a confrontation is to be discerned, it is not similar to that between
different religious but it can be compared to the one between pragmatism
and dogmatism or between provincialism and universalism. We are
witnesses of a highly inspiring subsequent stage of the development of
a cross-civilization dialogue. A plethora of new politological, ideological,
anthropological or philosophical concepts is the obvious consequence,
whereby the latter ones concern the understanding of history. An indirect
consequence is the necessary negotiating and introducing of new paradigms
in international relations. The cultural values have already become
determinants of the future roles of each civilization in the international
co-operation. Real security or stable peace can be achieved only through
or global co-operation based on an intercultural understanding. 22
A growing importance of transnational superstates can already be
observed. It is believed that only integrated structures combining politics,
economy and culture will dominate in the new international reality.
A confirmation of this forecast is the present-day functioning of certain
“superstates”, including the European Union (EU) or the Association of
Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). The latter, which is a “regional superstates”,
provides for a background for regional projects within the global
system of economic co-operation. ASEAN itself does not initiate any
common projects to promote a specific culture, a set of values or some
ideological conceptions. Luck a promotion is carried out by some member
states. The case of the EU is one in which an economic co-operation
was followed by common political concepts as well as by agreements
concerning a set of fundamental values. The two organizations mentioned
substitute the nineteenth-century national states, whereby a partial
absorption of the latter ones is observed. Local integration is no longer
aimed at. The new aim seems to be a creation of much larger, transoceanic
or transcontinental, regions. In the background, a certain extent
of confrontation can already be discerned. A member of nations want to
continue the confrontation while some other ones prefer to minimize it.
In the past, this situation resulted in nationalizms, which are now substituted
by transnationalizm. 23 An indirect result is the present-day tendency
of different subjects of international relations to determine clear options
for their activity.
As for as the West and Asia are concerned, they remain antagonists
in the dialogue focused on the future of the globe. Both highly emotional
arguments and many a simplification in the analyses can be observed.
22
S. P. Huntington, Will more countries become democratic? “Political Science Quarterly”
Summer 1984, No 99, p. 193-201.
23
For a detailed discussion see: A. W. Jelonek, op.cit., p. 97-100.
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