Reflections on The Re Awakening East

Bertrand Russell

Summary

The re-awakening of the East was a significant movement that happened around two thousand
years ago. During this time, power shifted from the East to the West. In the earliest part of
history, the East was the most powerful region in the world. Its dominance was not just in
military terms, but also in science, philosophy, poetry, and the arts. In places like China and the
Muslim world, these fields flourished, while Europe was stuck in the Dark Ages.

The writer believes that as the East begins to rise again, there could come a time when it leads in
world politics. However, the writer views Russian communism as a major threat to Asia, calling
it the most dangerous form of imperialism. The writer believes that to defend against this threat,
Asia needs to industrialize. In his view, industrialization brings power, and power is necessary
for progress. Science and machinery are also essential for development, but he cautions that Asia
should use science for peaceful purposes and not to create weapons for war.

Another way the writer thinks Asia can protect itself from communism is by preserving its
traditional culture. He advises that Asia should make efforts to maintain its own cultural heritage,
while also adopting the positive aspects of Western civilization.

According to the writer, there are three distinct civilizations in Asia: the Islamic world, India,
and China. Each of these civilizations has a rich and valuable culture. The writer believes they
should hold on to their cultures and not attempt to make them uniform. He emphasizes that
science and machinery are important for progress, but not if it means sacrificing traditional
culture, as was done in Europe.

The writer argues that for life to be truly happy, it should not become too mechanical. There
should still be space for music, poetry, art, love, and the simple joys of life. The writer criticizes
communism, as well as those who consider themselves advanced, for neglecting these aspects of
life.

The writer is hopeful that Asia will be able to preserve its independence because the world is
now divided into two opposing sides. However, he warns that Asia should avoid repeating the
mistakes of the West. The West achieved its current level of progress largely because of science.
But this development, which should have made people happier, was undermined by one major
flaw: the West's love for power over other human beings.

The writer advises Asia not to use power to conquer weaker nations. Instead, he encourages
mutual self-respect among nations. He hopes that some Asian countries will learn this lesson, but
he also fears that others may only imitate the cruel rulers of the West, which is leading the West
toward disaster due to events like the two world wars.
Q. 1: Why is it insular for European historians to term the centuries after the fall of the
Roman Empire ‘The Dark Ages’?

Ans. It is narrow-minded for European historians to call the time after the fall of the Roman
Empire "The Dark Ages" because during this time, the Muslim world grew a lot and China built
a strong empire. While Europeans see this period as dark, it was not dark everywhere, as Muslim
Spain had a rich culture.

Q. 2: On what grounds does the author argue that communism is the most modern and
virulent form of Western imperialism?

Ans. The author says that communism is the most modern and harmful type of Western
imperialism because its ideas come from Germany, and it uses military force to control people. It
does not value poetry, music, art, love, or the simple joys of life.

Q. 3: To what cause does the author attribute the power of England in the early nineteenth
century and the power of the United States and Russia today?

Ans. The author believes that England’s power in the early nineteenth century and the power of
the United States and Russia today come from their control of machine production.

Q. 4: Why does the author consider it useless to resist industrialization?

Ans. The author thinks it is useless to fight against industrialization because modern life depends
on science and machines for power. Countries that do not advance industrially find it hard to stay
independent.

Q. 5: Does the author welcome cultural uniformity or not? How does he justify his
attitude?

Ans. The author does not welcome cultural uniformity because he believes it would stop newly
developed countries from growing naturally.
Q. 6: How is traditional culture threatened in an age dominated by science and machinery?

Ans. Traditional culture includes poetry, music, art, love, and simple pleasures. These things are
often forgotten because science and machines have taken over people's lives.

Q. 7: What reasons does the author give for his opinion that the nations of Asia will not
find it hard to keep their independence?

Ans. The author thinks Asian nations will not struggle to keep their independence because the
world is divided into two sides, the U.S.A. and Russia, which are too busy with their own
problems to interfere with Asia.

Q. 8: What, in the author’s view, has been the most serious flaw in the character of the
West over the last few centuries?

Ans. The author believes the biggest problem with the West is its desire for power, which has led
to controlling weaker nations.

Q. 9: What parallels may be drawn between the decline of the power of Europe at the end
of the Roman Empire and the decline in the power of Europe since 1914?

Ans. At the end of the Roman Empire, wars between the Germans and Romans weakened
Europe so much that power shifted to the East. This is similar to the decline of Europe’s power
since 1914.

Q. 10: What, in the author’s opinion, should Asian countries accept from the West and
what should they reject?

Ans. The author thinks Asian countries should take the spirit of scientific research from the West
but should reject the West’s desire to dominate and exploit others