There is a global transformation in centre-periphery relations

Murat Aksoy Summary of interview with İbrahim Kalın, foreign policy adviser to the Turkish Prime Minister What is the nature of the current transformation in the world and in our region? As the classical paradigm of modernisation gave way to globalisation, new centres of power, new alliance systems and new types of relationships emerged. The traditions, countries and regions which had been marginalized during the modernisation era gained new spheres to express themselves. Our perception of history and future has changed. While people on one hand appreciated their roots and traditions, they came to realise the cosmopolitan world they are living in. Today, there is no necessary contradiction between retaining traditions and being a world citizen. You mean... This is what I call the "normalisation of history" because all great civilisations in history have managed to achieve a balance between their own roots and expansive horizons. Interaction with other communities and cultures while holding fast to one's traditions and origins is in fact a contribution to the common heritage of humanity. The fundamental question here is whether we can put Al-Farabi's model of "virtuous society" into practice on a global scale or whether we can build what as Kant proposed a "cosmopolitan world order"- a system of values and institutions on a global justice basis. The course of history goes this way and we need to concentrate our efforts in that. Voicing the global conscience, doing your best with what you have and mobilising all your resources like in cases of Somalia, Palestine and Syria... This is a big responsibility. Eurocentrism is still there I suppose we have not left behind the Eurocentric modernism yet... The Eurocentric modernisation models attempted to reduce humankind's visions of history and existence to one single model and thus invent a monotonous world. We can suggest that the response to this monotonous programme of modernity prompted today's marked adoption and expansion of pluralism, cosmopolitanism and diversities. Rise of modernity was Eurocentric and was urged by an attempt to rebuild the world from a single centre. However, this project implied gross injustice and global inequalities to an extent that even Europe (Germany and other European countries opposing it) did not assent to the new balance of power and we witnessed two world wars. On the other hand there are debates on non-Western modernism There has been a significant progress in overcoming Eurocentrism. Today, concepts like history, culture, civilisation, architecture, music, aesthetics, literature, economy and soft power do not refer to Western civilisation solely. Western thinkers such as Heidegger, Foucault, Derrida and Taylor severely criticised Eurocentrism. However, it is still too early to say that we completely left behind the Eurocentric perspective. A description of the world and a global politics mindset stemming from this dismissive and reductionist perspective, still shape the current world order. Even we in Turkey are yet to distance ourselves from the Eurocentric perspective of history, art, culture, science and international relations. We simply cannot construct our own concepts or think in our own words. Any efforts for that? Now, there are new dynamics that shape history and these dynamics originate from the periphery, not the centre. Just as the periphery in Turkey is transforming the establishment, the old Turkey; the dynamics, elements and actors, which have been previously reined or marginalized at regional and global levels for being peripheral, are now defining the main course of the centre. New ideas are emerging from those areas. Those actors are questioning the centre and attempting to redefine it and make it more inclusive and fair. They possess a new energy, a different self confidence. And the developments in the Middle East are a part of that? Yes, after a long period of inertia, the Arab people are now claiming their history and future. They demand justice and respect from the West and the world system. They are questioning why they were ruled by a handful of dictators. They wish to adhere to their traditions and establish a democratic, free and prosperous political order. They are seeking a third way apart from isolationist localism and rootless Westernism.