Resumen

LOPEZ ALVAREZ TOSTADO, Erick. El crisol del discurso civilizatorio occidental: África. En-clav. pen [online]. 2009, vol.3, n.5, pp.137-157. ISSN 2594-1100.

The present essay entails a refection regarding the way in which the concept of modern civilization has been modifed through the years in order to change with the times. This Western discourse of civilization is best represented by the idea of globalization. Within this framework it is becoming more common to make generalizations that translate into the actions of a State, its social expressions and cultural values that converge within its national parameters. The logic of globalization refects interactions based on a common scheme, namely: Democracy, Human Rights and Free Trade. Thus, inside these universal schemes, there is a new configuration for exclusion and segregation: that of particularization. It allows us to look at the ways in which specifc social orders and political problems are freed from the responsibility of the West. And the only way to alleviate this process is to appeal to the ideal of Civilization. But ultimately it is useless for justifying any purpose other than self-justifcation. The situation in Africa is a clear example of all that was mentioned above since it can serve as a mirror that humanizes and moves Western countries.

Palabras llave : civilization discourse; orbis terrarum; Africa; globalization; development and underdevelopment.