Claudia Derichs: Alternative Perspektiven auf Weltordnung und Konzepte von Entwicklung

Abstract

Alternative Perspectives on World Order and Concepts of Development

This article discusses issues of world order, global development and the accompanying “world views” behind concepts of world order and development. A polycentric world order in which varying perceptions on how this order came about have surfaced forms the core topic. Within this polycentric pattern, parts of the world that are conventionally perceived as “developed” in fact reveal deficits regarding the understanding of historically grown world views in other regions – visible, for instance, in the comprehension of “state”. The literature reviewed suggests the inference that the discussion of concepts relating to world order and history, development, state, culture, religion, secularism and the like has still to catch up in acknowledging alternative views and their normative foundations.