Although I found the series interesting and managed to finish it in about 3 weeks going back and forth, Ferguson appears to suffer from empire-nostalgia and has many unsubstantiated views and claims about history and why things are they what they are. It seems that he is more interested in making television-attractive claims such as the suggestion that American Levy's jeans brought down the Berlin Wall than going deeper into the causes of historical events. Perhaps Ferguson should be given the benefit of the doubt as he was trying to create a popular television series; but it says something about him as a real historian.
6 Reviews
An Original Look At Some Aspects Of History
screenman10 April 2011
Warning: Spoilers
I have watched this short series from it's beginning, and quite enjoyed it.
The programme took an often lateral view into the development of some aspects of history, and how they interacted across continents and between cultures.
Some of the ideas may have been a tad over-stated. One or two points had a hint of cliché in their presentation. Yet I found the presenter himself refreshingly candid and non-judgemental in regard to the ideas he put across. His chatty and informal manner worked well. And very seldom did he repeat himself; there was little suggestion of packing-out the programme - unlike the BBC's 'Wonders Of The Universe'.
We explored the past, we crossed cultures and continents, visiting exotic locations, and heard innumerable little snippets and anecdotes about the main-players of the past. For example; on the news we hear how religious belief in China is vigorously persecuted, whereas the programme claimed that Christianity is rampant in many parts, being openly practiced and tolerated.
I also thought that there was more than a grain of truth to a claim that the decline of the west may be synonymous with a loss of self-belief and a denial of those ideals that once made our culture supreme - a claim that probably set-off resentment bells amongst the Guardianistas and sundry left-wing revisionists who are foremost in decrying our past achievements. As if life before New Labour were a spoil-heap of shame.
All in all, a thought-provoking series.
The programme took an often lateral view into the development of some aspects of history, and how they interacted across continents and between cultures.
Some of the ideas may have been a tad over-stated. One or two points had a hint of cliché in their presentation. Yet I found the presenter himself refreshingly candid and non-judgemental in regard to the ideas he put across. His chatty and informal manner worked well. And very seldom did he repeat himself; there was little suggestion of packing-out the programme - unlike the BBC's 'Wonders Of The Universe'.
We explored the past, we crossed cultures and continents, visiting exotic locations, and heard innumerable little snippets and anecdotes about the main-players of the past. For example; on the news we hear how religious belief in China is vigorously persecuted, whereas the programme claimed that Christianity is rampant in many parts, being openly practiced and tolerated.
I also thought that there was more than a grain of truth to a claim that the decline of the west may be synonymous with a loss of self-belief and a denial of those ideals that once made our culture supreme - a claim that probably set-off resentment bells amongst the Guardianistas and sundry left-wing revisionists who are foremost in decrying our past achievements. As if life before New Labour were a spoil-heap of shame.
All in all, a thought-provoking series.
In defence of the West and...a Woody Allen impression...77.5%
dfle316 May 2012
Another interesting series from Professor of economic history Niall Ferguson (whose "The ascent of money" TV series is the definitive overview of the recent global financial crisis...and I've reviewed that here too). It doesn't reach the heights of that earlier series, in part because it is more personal and loaded. Ferguson outlines six factors which he argues propelled the West to global dominance. He calls these the six "killer applications" of the West. The 'killer apps' are, according to Ferguson, competition; science; medicine; the rule of law and property rights; consumerism and the Protestant work ethic.
Each 'killer app' has an episode devoted to its history and how it plays out in the modern world. One could quibble with the perspective here. Surely the West's 'killer app' in centuries gone by was the gun (today it would be weapons of mass destruction)? How about European diseases in cultures not immune or tolerant towards them? Ferguson's 'killer apps' are more the 'friendly to our potential rivals for world domination' variety...as in he provides the 'white armband' 'killer apps'...something more...noble. Now that the West may have run out of time to make the world a better place through its practices, the West is now seeking the next generation of global superpowers to do what it never did...make the world a better place for all. Well, that's the cynic in me! The English, after all, did have their conscience pricked by their treatment of native Americans only after they had destroyed them...it's only at that point that you can talk about 'human rights'.
As always, Ferguson comes up with some interesting facts about histories you did not know about, or histories you had forgotten...or ones which you thought you knew, but he sets you straight on. For instance, the episode devoted to medicine has an horrific account of what the German empire got up to in Africa, and it is utterly repugnant and despicable...but it does make an explicit connection with the philosophy of Hitler, who was influenced by the German pseudo-science of racial superiority, coming out of Africa. The story of what one German 'scientist' had an African woman do was sickening. This may also be the episode where England's King Edward, I believe, says of the Japanese emperor (not to his face, of course!) that he is "a prize monkey"...a response to seeing the emperor wearing western style clothing, I believe.
More lighthearted was Ferguson's take on the events of May, 1968, in France. It's contrasted superbly with what was happening in countries occupied by the Soviet Union. It amused me that the pinnacle of French intellectual aims at this time was...access to female only dormitories for the male students! Those with an interest in music may also find some titbits to follow up on for this episode...revolutionary acts that the English speaking world would be ignorant of, I'm guessing (I may seek cds by Olympic, who are called "the Czech Beatles"!...their song "Zelva" is mentioned as well as Plastic People Of The Universe, who have an interesting 'song' called "100 points").
Ferguson is more pessimistic on the episode to do with consumerism, saying: "All we risk being left with is a vacuous consumer society and a relativistic culture that regards any theory, no matter how outlandish, as just as valid as whatever it was we used to believe in. The trouble is, as G.K.Chesterton famously said: 'When men lose their faith they don't believe in nothing, they believe in anything'".
At times Ferguson's argument is spherical...for instance, what is the point of his discussion of climate change in his episode devoted to the Protestant work ethic? Is it that he finds this science "crap", as Australia's current opposition leader, Tony Abbott, does? Just another false prophecy? In any case, the selection of the Prostetant work ethic as a 'killer app' is controversial, perhaps. And again, Ferguson's argument is muddy. Is he saying that there are purely pragmatic reasons to believe in God, for reasons unrelated to the truth of 'His' existence? It seems that he is saying this, or at least implying it.
In this series Ferguson nails his colours to his mast more forcefully. He's a conservative. He espouses recognisable conservative concerns...ones no doubt argued for in the English speaking West, at least. Fortunately for Ferguson, he is amiable and one is happy to go along with what he is saying...he's a cuddly conservative...avuncular. Hmm...dare I say this...his presentation style reminds me of Griff Rhys Jones. And he wants to be liked to, it seems...he has a very interesting thesis on the 'decline' of the West, which he relates to Sigmund Freud (by way of sociologist Max Weber)...but not without doing a passable Woody Allen impression!
I have no doubt that former conservative Australian Prime Minister, John Howard, would like this documentary series. He often used the phrase "black armband view of history". Ferguson is perhaps concerned about the decline of the West and tries convincing himself that they are still a force. If he can't convince himself, he surely wants to convince his audience, as that is where the West's future lies...a self-belief in their history and identity...it's a plea to 'keep the faith' in what made the West great and to 'keep on keeping on' doing that. Failing that, that the new non-Western superpowers rule in a way which the West never saw the need too...as it thought it always reign supreme.
Each 'killer app' has an episode devoted to its history and how it plays out in the modern world. One could quibble with the perspective here. Surely the West's 'killer app' in centuries gone by was the gun (today it would be weapons of mass destruction)? How about European diseases in cultures not immune or tolerant towards them? Ferguson's 'killer apps' are more the 'friendly to our potential rivals for world domination' variety...as in he provides the 'white armband' 'killer apps'...something more...noble. Now that the West may have run out of time to make the world a better place through its practices, the West is now seeking the next generation of global superpowers to do what it never did...make the world a better place for all. Well, that's the cynic in me! The English, after all, did have their conscience pricked by their treatment of native Americans only after they had destroyed them...it's only at that point that you can talk about 'human rights'.
As always, Ferguson comes up with some interesting facts about histories you did not know about, or histories you had forgotten...or ones which you thought you knew, but he sets you straight on. For instance, the episode devoted to medicine has an horrific account of what the German empire got up to in Africa, and it is utterly repugnant and despicable...but it does make an explicit connection with the philosophy of Hitler, who was influenced by the German pseudo-science of racial superiority, coming out of Africa. The story of what one German 'scientist' had an African woman do was sickening. This may also be the episode where England's King Edward, I believe, says of the Japanese emperor (not to his face, of course!) that he is "a prize monkey"...a response to seeing the emperor wearing western style clothing, I believe.
More lighthearted was Ferguson's take on the events of May, 1968, in France. It's contrasted superbly with what was happening in countries occupied by the Soviet Union. It amused me that the pinnacle of French intellectual aims at this time was...access to female only dormitories for the male students! Those with an interest in music may also find some titbits to follow up on for this episode...revolutionary acts that the English speaking world would be ignorant of, I'm guessing (I may seek cds by Olympic, who are called "the Czech Beatles"!...their song "Zelva" is mentioned as well as Plastic People Of The Universe, who have an interesting 'song' called "100 points").
Ferguson is more pessimistic on the episode to do with consumerism, saying: "All we risk being left with is a vacuous consumer society and a relativistic culture that regards any theory, no matter how outlandish, as just as valid as whatever it was we used to believe in. The trouble is, as G.K.Chesterton famously said: 'When men lose their faith they don't believe in nothing, they believe in anything'".
At times Ferguson's argument is spherical...for instance, what is the point of his discussion of climate change in his episode devoted to the Protestant work ethic? Is it that he finds this science "crap", as Australia's current opposition leader, Tony Abbott, does? Just another false prophecy? In any case, the selection of the Prostetant work ethic as a 'killer app' is controversial, perhaps. And again, Ferguson's argument is muddy. Is he saying that there are purely pragmatic reasons to believe in God, for reasons unrelated to the truth of 'His' existence? It seems that he is saying this, or at least implying it.
In this series Ferguson nails his colours to his mast more forcefully. He's a conservative. He espouses recognisable conservative concerns...ones no doubt argued for in the English speaking West, at least. Fortunately for Ferguson, he is amiable and one is happy to go along with what he is saying...he's a cuddly conservative...avuncular. Hmm...dare I say this...his presentation style reminds me of Griff Rhys Jones. And he wants to be liked to, it seems...he has a very interesting thesis on the 'decline' of the West, which he relates to Sigmund Freud (by way of sociologist Max Weber)...but not without doing a passable Woody Allen impression!
I have no doubt that former conservative Australian Prime Minister, John Howard, would like this documentary series. He often used the phrase "black armband view of history". Ferguson is perhaps concerned about the decline of the West and tries convincing himself that they are still a force. If he can't convince himself, he surely wants to convince his audience, as that is where the West's future lies...a self-belief in their history and identity...it's a plea to 'keep the faith' in what made the West great and to 'keep on keeping on' doing that. Failing that, that the new non-Western superpowers rule in a way which the West never saw the need too...as it thought it always reign supreme.
Insightful series
carbonfooledya12 May 2012
Warning: Spoilers
This is an insightful six-part series. Professor Niall Ferguson tells it like it is and gives a unique insight on why the West's development was superior to that of other places. The documentary is packed with visual goodies, for example shots of buildings and landscapes including from the air, to take you on a world tour.
I particularly liked the many scenes of North American suburbs in comparison to South American rural villages to show the contrast in wealth between the two. Ferguson's voice is well suited to narration.
Here's a general outline of his ideas:
Part One: Competition
Many think it's the brute force of western technology that gave rise to its expansion and colonisation of the world. But in fact it was a combination of factors more to do with ideology, especially of Northern Europe with its liberalism and capitalism.
In the 1200 - 1400's China was the world's most advanced civilisation with things like gunpowder, printing and paper, and huge ocean-going vessels that went to Africa and brought back animals.
But the unified kingdom of the Ming dynasties meant that innovation and progress in technology and military affairs wasn't necessary, for they had no adversaries. The Chinese had strong warriors, but they didn't need to develop, as they had subdued the Mongolian hordes to the north.
Whereas, Europe consisted of many smaller entities who competed and fought with each other, thus constantly improving their technology so as to not fall behind their neighbours. And the Europeans had a thirst for economic opportunities, especially overseas, that the Chinese didn't have.
"The Chinese have all they need" said the Chinese Emperor of the time -- and they did, for it was a benevolent dictatorship -- but it meant they went nowhere fast in terms of world exploration.
Part Two: Science
The Islamic world's lack of separation of church and state put it at a disadvantage to the West. The Ottoman empire had rulers whose main preoccupation was physical pleasure and the suppression of printing based on religious ideas.
Meanwhile, in Europe leaders like Frederick the Great thought that he should work for the good of the people instead of preoccupying himself with worldly pleasures. Frederick the Great encouraged a secular government and the spread of scientific ideas, transmitted through printing, which would allow the West to overtake the Ottomans in technology.
Part Three: Land-Owning Democracy
North and Latin America took two different paths because in English North America people could keep the fruits of their labour -- things like land and the right to vote. On the other hand in Spanish/Portuguese Latin America people always worked for others and owned nothing.
As a result the people who could keep what they had worked for (the "American dream") worked much harder and maintained a better standard of living. Whereas people who always worked for someone else, for some big kahuna or other, only did the minimum they needed to to fulfil their duties and then they rested.
Part Four: Medicine
Focuses more on Africa and Europeans dealing with diseases, health and other issues for both Africans and Europeans there and around the world.
Part Five: Consumerism
This one takes the focus into the 20th century with the focus on clothing, fashion and the culture of the West infiltrating into the East. Ferguson shows his insight once again in this episode culminating in his revelation that he predicted that the Berlin Wall would fall before it did (but the newspaper he submitted his story to didn't publish it). Ferguson points out clothing as having a central role in the industrial revolution and, plotting its fashion spread, it marks the West's influence in the East from East Germany to China.
Part Six: The Work Ethic
Sometimes religion can hold back a people's development, like the Muslims did centuries ago when it came to science and education. And in many religions it was better to be of humble means and give one's surplus wealth to the church. But in America a new denomination of Christianity flourished that associated hard work and owning riches and property with piety. Protestantism helped give rise to the work ethic that made America great.
I particularly liked the many scenes of North American suburbs in comparison to South American rural villages to show the contrast in wealth between the two. Ferguson's voice is well suited to narration.
Here's a general outline of his ideas:
Part One: Competition
Many think it's the brute force of western technology that gave rise to its expansion and colonisation of the world. But in fact it was a combination of factors more to do with ideology, especially of Northern Europe with its liberalism and capitalism.
In the 1200 - 1400's China was the world's most advanced civilisation with things like gunpowder, printing and paper, and huge ocean-going vessels that went to Africa and brought back animals.
But the unified kingdom of the Ming dynasties meant that innovation and progress in technology and military affairs wasn't necessary, for they had no adversaries. The Chinese had strong warriors, but they didn't need to develop, as they had subdued the Mongolian hordes to the north.
Whereas, Europe consisted of many smaller entities who competed and fought with each other, thus constantly improving their technology so as to not fall behind their neighbours. And the Europeans had a thirst for economic opportunities, especially overseas, that the Chinese didn't have.
"The Chinese have all they need" said the Chinese Emperor of the time -- and they did, for it was a benevolent dictatorship -- but it meant they went nowhere fast in terms of world exploration.
Part Two: Science
The Islamic world's lack of separation of church and state put it at a disadvantage to the West. The Ottoman empire had rulers whose main preoccupation was physical pleasure and the suppression of printing based on religious ideas.
Meanwhile, in Europe leaders like Frederick the Great thought that he should work for the good of the people instead of preoccupying himself with worldly pleasures. Frederick the Great encouraged a secular government and the spread of scientific ideas, transmitted through printing, which would allow the West to overtake the Ottomans in technology.
Part Three: Land-Owning Democracy
North and Latin America took two different paths because in English North America people could keep the fruits of their labour -- things like land and the right to vote. On the other hand in Spanish/Portuguese Latin America people always worked for others and owned nothing.
As a result the people who could keep what they had worked for (the "American dream") worked much harder and maintained a better standard of living. Whereas people who always worked for someone else, for some big kahuna or other, only did the minimum they needed to to fulfil their duties and then they rested.
Part Four: Medicine
Focuses more on Africa and Europeans dealing with diseases, health and other issues for both Africans and Europeans there and around the world.
Part Five: Consumerism
This one takes the focus into the 20th century with the focus on clothing, fashion and the culture of the West infiltrating into the East. Ferguson shows his insight once again in this episode culminating in his revelation that he predicted that the Berlin Wall would fall before it did (but the newspaper he submitted his story to didn't publish it). Ferguson points out clothing as having a central role in the industrial revolution and, plotting its fashion spread, it marks the West's influence in the East from East Germany to China.
Part Six: The Work Ethic
Sometimes religion can hold back a people's development, like the Muslims did centuries ago when it came to science and education. And in many religions it was better to be of humble means and give one's surplus wealth to the church. But in America a new denomination of Christianity flourished that associated hard work and owning riches and property with piety. Protestantism helped give rise to the work ethic that made America great.
This is dire
ememessien29 March 2011
Horribly presented with facts that might be critical of Western civilization often glossed over this feels more like a "puff piece", a feel good series for the benefit of those who feel intimidated by the rise of the 'Developing World'.
In episode one the causes and result of the Opium Wars are almost completely ignored with the presenter claiming that the Chinese had a unique weakness for opiates (because there is no substance abuse in 'Western nations'?). The presenter failed to state that the British had increased supply (from British ruled India) and thus substantially lowered the cost.
I have no doubt that there are more fallacies and considerable omissions to be found throughout the series but I shan't waste my time in discovering them. For a historian to put his name to such shoddy work is embarrassing. For that same historian to be so arrogant in his presentation of the work makes for cringe inducing television.
In short, this makes for sad viewing - an indictment of the state of British TV, media as a whole and society. One final desperate grasp for bygone glory days on a dying medium - two cultural failures for the price of one.
In episode one the causes and result of the Opium Wars are almost completely ignored with the presenter claiming that the Chinese had a unique weakness for opiates (because there is no substance abuse in 'Western nations'?). The presenter failed to state that the British had increased supply (from British ruled India) and thus substantially lowered the cost.
I have no doubt that there are more fallacies and considerable omissions to be found throughout the series but I shan't waste my time in discovering them. For a historian to put his name to such shoddy work is embarrassing. For that same historian to be so arrogant in his presentation of the work makes for cringe inducing television.
In short, this makes for sad viewing - an indictment of the state of British TV, media as a whole and society. One final desperate grasp for bygone glory days on a dying medium - two cultural failures for the price of one.
I highly recommend for any of my fellow uber-geeks!
strikezero-397-7193757 April 2018
Got this from the Library. I didn't pay attention and thought I was getting a book, but this was pretty entertaining. It is six episodes and in each he covers what he calls Western Civilizations "Killer App's" - the six things he believes lead to the accent of western civilization.
I thought the episode on Medicine was a bit weak, but he did delve into medicines dark cousin - eugenics and the nightmares that crap created. Thought-provoking. I would highly recommend it for any of my fellow uber-geeks.
I thought the episode on Medicine was a bit weak, but he did delve into medicines dark cousin - eugenics and the nightmares that crap created. Thought-provoking. I would highly recommend it for any of my fellow uber-geeks.
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