. . . it is often . . . anti-imperialists who, being liberals, are the most complacent believers in the superiority of western civilisation, and at one and the same time blind to the benefits conferred by imperial government and to the injury done by the destruction of native culture. According to such enthusiasts, we do well to intrude ourselves upon another civilisation, equip the members of it with our mechanical contrivances, our systems of government, education, law, medicine and finance, inspire them with a contempt for their own customs and with an enlightened attitude towards religious superstition--and then leave them to stew in the broth which we have brewed for them.
T.S. Eliot, Christianity and Culture, p.167
Afghanistan, anyone?
No comments:
Post a Comment