From the Labyrinth of the World to the Paradise of the Heart - (Critical Media Studies: Institutions, Politics, and Culture) by Vincenzo Pavone

About the Book

Science and Humanism in UNESCO's Approach to Globalization studies the influence of scientific humanism on the emergence and development of UNESCO's original approach to globalization. It also studies the role that UNESCO tried to play in the international system through the p...

Book Synopsis

Science and Humanism in UNESCO's Approach to Globalization studies the influence of scientific humanism on the emergence and development of UNESCO's original approach to globalization. It also studies the role that UNESCO tried to play in the international system through the promotion of its own specific account of globalization.

Review Quotes

At the heart of this book is a clear analysis of 'Scientific Humanism, ' which has informed UNESCO's vision of globalization. The author investigates the role that such an important international actor has played for the intellectual and political construction of globalization. Vincenzo Pavone, whose hope is nothing less than to make UNESCO reconsider its contribution 'to inspire peace in the mind of men, ' offers an important and much needed perspective on the study of globalization.

In this book, Vincenzo Pavone offers a strikingly original and rigorous new look at globalization-instead of focusing, as most studies do, on the economic and political forces behind it, he analyzes this phenomenon's philosophical bases. He offers the reader a fascinating intellectual journey through the origins and development of scientific humanism and how this set of ideas has shaped the activities of UNESCO. Pavone exhibits a rare combination of historical scope in his exploration of scientific humanism and analytical precision in the analysis of the correlations between scientific humanist ideas and UNESCO's world view. This book will rank with the very best studies on the influence of ideas in the shaping of public policies.

Vincenzo Pavone's thought-provoking study of UNESCO provides us with an important analysis of the philosophical and spiritual features of globalization. The scientific humanism that underlies UNESCO's programmes, as appealing as it may often sound, is not without dangers. Being presented as the only valid way to global peace, it is based on a partial understanding of the sources of violence; and being promoted top-down by an international organization, it can become a source of illegitimate power. This book widens our horizon about globalization, and it provides a critical edge on the work of international organizations. In both respects, it is highly needed.

About the Author

Vincenzo Pavone is a researcher in social and political sciences for the Institute of Public Goods and Policies at the Spanish National Research Council (CSIC) in Madrid, Spain.