Western Self-Contempt: Oikophobia in the Decline of Civilizations

265 Pages·2022·10.224 MB·English

by  Benedict Beckeld

Western Self- Contempt

Western Self-C ontempt
Oikophobia in the Decline of Civilizations
Benedict Beckeld
Northern Illinois University Press
An imprint of Cornell University Press
Ithaca and London
Copyright © 2022 by Cornell University
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First published 2022 by Cornell University Press
Printed in the United States of Amer i ca
Library of Congress Cataloging- in- Publication Data
Names: Beckeld, Benedict, author.
Title: Western self-contempt : oikophobia in the decline of civilizations /
Benedict Beckeld.
Description : Ithaca [New York] : Northern Illinois University Press, an
imprint of Cornell University Press, 2022. | Includes bibliographical
references and index.
Identifiers: LCCN 2021036968 (print) | LCCN 2021036969 (ebook) |
ISBN 9781501763182 (hardcover) | ISBN 9781501763205 (pdf ) |
ISBN 9781501763199 (epub)
Subjects: LCSH: Political culture—Western countries—History. |
Civilization, Western—Political aspects—History. | Social values—
Western countries—History. | Western countries—Politics and govern-
ment. | Western countries—Intellectual life.
Classification: LCC JA75.7 .B434 2022 (print) | LCC JA75.7 (ebook) |
DDC 306.209182/1—dc23
LC record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2021036968
LC ebook record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2021036969
In memoriam
Baltsar Beckeld
1975–2018
fratris amantissimi.
Spem in alium nunquam habui praeter in te.
And when Fashion hath once Established, what Folly or
craft began, Custom makes it Sacred, and ’twill be thought
impudence or madness, to contradict or question it.
John Locke, First Treatise of Government
Si Sparte et Rome ont péri, quel état peut espérer de durer
toujours ? Si nous voulons former un établissement durable,
ne songeons donc point à le rendre éternel.
Jean-J acques Rousseau, Du contrat social
If the cultivation of the understanding consists in one thing
more than in another, it is surely in learning the grounds of
one’s own opinions.
John Stuart Mill, On Liberty
Contents
Acknowl edgments ix
Note on Translation xi
Introduction 1
1. Oikophobia in Ancient Greece 15
2. Oikophobia as Relativism 32
3. Oikophobia in Rome 40
4. The Role of Religion 57
5. Oikophobia in France 70
6. Oikophobia in Britain 92
7. Oikophobia as Positivism 110
viii Contents
8. Oikophobia in the United States: The Past 117
9. Cyclical and Progressive Theory 130
10. Oikophobia in the United States: The Pre sent 152
11. The Confluence of the West 169
Epilogue: On Personal Freedom 197
Notes 217
Index 241
Acknowl edgments
It is indicative of the re sis tance this book has faced that many of the spe-
cific persons I wish to thank for supporting me during its creation and pro-
motion have since died. I wrote this text in 2016 and 2017, with only editorial
alterations and the occasional update since then, and the best efforts of a
number of individuals to suppress it has meant that t hose who would most
have rejoiced at its publication w ill not experience it.
Very special thanks go to Professor Roger Scruton (1944–2020), vir ille
spectabilis, who coined the term “oikophobia” and who, as a truly disinterested
pursuer of truth, lent his support to my book even though it went far beyond
his own exposition of this cultural phenomenon; and to Professor Ursula
Schönheim (1929–2020), my erstwhile Latin professor and subsequently very
dear friend, who read and commented on the first draft. I am also deeply
grateful and indebted to the editorial team at Cornell University Press, and in
par tic u lar to Amy Farranto, who worked tirelessly, and always with the ut-
most kindness and professionalism, in ushering the manuscript to publication.
My gratitude is also for t hose oikophobes, far too numerous to list by name,