The Convergence of Civilizations

"The Convergence of Civilizations is a fascinating exploration of how regions are constructed in world politics. It uses the case of the Euro-Mediterranean partnership to inquire into the conditions under which a group of countries and peoples come to feel themselves somehow connected to each other. The authors are pioneers in the constructivist research program, and this book constitutes an important empirical contribution to a new and exciting way of thinking about international relations." -- Jeffrey Kopstein, Director, Centre for European, Russian, and Eurasian Studies, University of Toronto "The innovative contribution of The Convergence of Civilizations is the way in which it brings together a rich and impressive collection of scholars from around the Mediterranean and both sides of the Atlantic in a well-organized and structured project. More importantly, the book has a clear normative agenda of seeking to overcome the divisive, conflictual and ultimately lethal discourses developed by the Bush presidency as part of his (failed) attempt to wage war on terrorism." -- Ian Manners, Political Science, Malmo University

The Convergence of Civilizations will be an important tool for meeting the current global challenges being faced by nation-states as well as those in the future.

Recent efforts by the United States and its allies to promote democracy, security, and stability in the Middle East owe much to the Euro-Mediterranean Partnership (EMP) – also known as the Barcelona Process – an important region-building plan in the Mediterranean region since 1995. The Convergence of Civilizations represents the output of an innovative and much needed collaborative project focused on the EMP. Editors Emanuel Adler, Beverly Crawford, Federica Bicchi, and Rafaella A. Del Sarto have set out to show that regional security and stability may be achieved through a cultural approach based on the concept of regional identity construction, and aim to take stock of the EMP in relation to this goal.

The contributors to this collection focus on the obstacles Mediterranean region construction faces due to post 9/11 regional and global events, the difficulties of the Israeli-Palestinian peace process, tensions between the EU and the US over Iraq, and the expected consequences of EU enlargement. They also seek to bring the EMP and region-making practices to the attention of American scholars in order to promote a more fertile academic exchange.

Ultimately, the contributors demonstrate that the EMP and related region-making practices, while failing so far to promote the development of a Mediterranean regional identity and to achieve regional stability, suggest nonetheless a viable model for regional partnership and cooperation, and thus, for preventing a 'clash of civilizations' in the long haul. The Convergence of Civilizations will be an important tool for meeting the current global challenges being faced by nation-states as well as those in the future.