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

Bożena Drzewicka
The ASEAN members differ significantly in every respect, more than
the EU nations. As the integration suggested cannot be limited to material
categories, a stress is laid on threats and inequalities, which could not be
overcome by any modern economic system. Debates focused on civilizations
and cultures are, in fact, critiques of the economic transformation,
both in underdeveloped and in highly developed market economies. A
ride effect of the present-day development is the growing share of negative
tendencies within the societies, cultures and political structures. Such
tendencies are reflected in international processes as well as in new concepts
or interpretation of global phenomena. 32
For many year, this has been pointed out by J. Galtung, who claims
that the large accompanying costs should be taken into consideration
whenever the contemporary development is discussed. He alludes
to disregard of the humanistic aspect in individuals, respect of the social
aspect in interactions between people, both in an individual and international
dimension, as well as to disregard of the cultural aspect. 33 Therefore
one can still ask what the global development and the modernization
should be like. Both the former and the latter have become objects of
different typologies, which seem simplified and controversial. In my opinion,
the lacking clarity is, on the one hand, a cause of confontations and,
on the other hand, a prompt to search for the best conceptions as well as
for a practical model of international relations. The two parties included
appear now to be fully aware of this situation. A dialogue, a co-operation
and a humanistic development are, therefore, absolutely necessary.
“Dialogue” is understood here as social acceptance of communication. In
an international dimension, an additional result to be expected is a fairer
income distribution among the rich and the poor countries, with their
co-operation and a supported adoption of market economy as simultaneous
processes. This means that a complementary development must
be provided for. 34
Many a circle of intellectuals and politicians participated in the early
debates focused on the issues discussed here. Object of interest were
political and legal forecast, concerning the present-day and future relations
between civilizations. In fact, three best-known and fashionable
political prognoses were taken into consideration. The “end of history”,
32
J. Kukułka, Polityka zagraniczna jako element procesu oddziaływań międzynarodowych,
In: J. Kukułka (ed.), Zmienność i instytucjonalizacja stosunków międzynarodowych,
Warszawa 1988, p. 148-151.
33
J. Galtung, Peace by Peaceful Means. Peace and Conflict. Development and Civilization,
Oslo 1998, p. 129.
34
Agenda 21: Programme of Action for Sustainable Development, United Nations, New
York 1993.
34