The phenomenon of universalization. while being an advancement of
mankind. at the same time constitutes a sort of subtle destruction. not only
of traditional cultures. which might not be an irreparable wrong. but also of
what I Shall call for the time being the creative nucleus of great civilizations
and great culture, that nucleus on the basis of which we interpret life. what
Inhale call in advance-the ethical and mythical nucleus of mankind. The
conflict springs up from there. We have the feeling that this single world
civilization at the same time exerts a sort of attrition or wearing away at the
expense of the cultural resources which have made the great civilizations
of the past. This threat is expressed. among other disturbing effects. by the
spreading before our eyes of a mediocre civilization which is the absurd
counterpart of what I was just calling elementary cu1.ture. Everywhere
throughout the world.
one finds the same bad movie.. the same slot
machines. the same plastic or aluminium atrocities. the same twisting of
language by: propaganda. etc. It seems as if mankind. by approaching en
masse a basic consumer culture. were also stopped en masse at a sub
cultural level. Thus we come to the crucial problem confronting nations just
rising from underdevelopment.
In order to get on to the road toward modernization. is it necessary to
jettison the old cultural past which has been the raison d'etreofa nation? . . .
Whence the paradox: on the one hand. it (the nation) has to root itself in
the soil of its past. forge a national spirit. and unfurl this spiritual and
cultural revendication before the colonialist's personality. But in order to
take part in modern civilization. it is necessary at the same time to take part
in scientific. technical. and political rationality,