Georgios Varouxakis

Georgios Varouxakis, a Professor of the history of political thought at Queen Mary University of London, dives into the fascinating evolution of the idea of ‘the West.’ He argues it emerged in the 1820s, with significant promotion by Auguste Comte, differentiating Western Europe from Russia amidst political needs. Varouxakis explores varied perspectives, including Kant's vision of a peaceful West, the impact of World War I on Western identity, and critiques from figures like James Baldwin, revealing the complexity of what 'the West' truly signifies.

Georgios Varouxakis, a prominent Professor of Political Thought at Queen Mary University, dives deep into the evolving concept of 'the West.' He debunks myths about its origins and explains how it became a political idea in the 19th century. Varouxakis reflects on Western exclusion, the perception of Russia as a threat, and the roles of lesser-known figures in shaping Western identity. He argues for the West's openness and critiques its self-identity, emphasizing internal criticism as a strength while navigating the complexities of modern geopolitics and cultural alliances.

Georgios Varouxakis, a political thought professor at Queen Mary University of London, dives deep into the evolution of the idea of 'the West.' He reveals that the term emerged in the 1820s to avoid the ambiguity of 'Europe,' largely shaped by thinkers like Auguste Comte. Varouxakis discusses how this concept differentiated Western Europe from Russia and traces the unexpected assimilation of the U.S. into this identity. He also examines notable critiques from figures like James Baldwin and the implications of labeling values as uniquely 'Western.'