Culture, Civilization, and Humanity

Part I of this volume, The Values of Progress, endeavours to prove the existence of three intellectual horizons: the horizon of cultures; above that the horizon of civilizations; and above both the horizon of humanity. This part gives solid evidence that "progress" is a product of the horizon of humanity. Part II comprises Tarek Heggy's writings on the Egyptian mind. Part III is an attempt to diagnose the illnesses of contemporary Egyptian political and socio-economic actuality and prescribe two solutions: a liberal political system and a modern market economy driven by an advanced cadre that represents the best of modern management techniques. Part IV provides a full-scale criticism of the theory and practices and accurately predicted, in the 1970s, the collapse of the socialist system.

Divided into four parts and comprising Tarek Heggy's writings on the Egyptian mind, this volume makes an attempt to diagnose the illnesses of contemporary Egyptian political and socio-economic actuality and prescribe two solutions: a liberal political system and a modern market economy.

Part 1 Essays on the values of progress: some basic remarks about the values of progress; the most important values of progress; souce and identity; cultural specificity; building a strong society. part 2 Essays on Egypt's cultural dilemma: why do I write? the big-talk syndrome; singing our own praises; between a culture of peace and culture of war; Eygptian identity and globalization; reflections on an American trip; localized to the spine; the anatomy of apaty; the United States and the world future; Egypt's economic reform in the balance; the Arab mindset and the conspiracy theory; complacency - enough is enough; civilized debate versus fascist intimidation; technological advancement prerequisites - wealth or management?; does intellectuality have a nationality?; imperativ emanagement reform; fateful transformation; the tragedy of education and culture in Egypt. Part 3 Essays on contemporary Egyptian problems: the tragedy of subsidies; the art of work - an art we have lost; who are the makers of history - circumstances or people?; the difficult equation of change versus stability; religious extremism in Egypt; the Egyptian problem - origins and analysis; what is to be done?; the four idols; promoting reading as a hobby and a methodology; Egyptians between rights and duties; Saad Zaghlul and the unity of the two elements of the Egyptian nation; management and society; reflections on buffoonery and failure. Part 4 Essays on the imperative fall of Socialism - a critique of Marxism: marxism - where to?; the dictatorship of the proletariat; Eurocommunism; the revealing light of democracy and the darkness of the single opinion; Marxist economics between theory and practice; the individual and society; Marxism between Protestantism and Catholicism; communist propaganda in the balance of truth.

Tarek Heggy