The Old and New Transnationalism: An Evolutionary Perspective

Abstract

The concept of axial ages, when civilizations are exploring new terrains, interacting in a sustained way with strangers, and imaging the other and better, is used to trace the development of transnationalism through the ages. The problem of asymmetric contact between colonizers and colonized, historically and in the present, limits the two-way dialogue and learning processes that give rise to great periods of civilization flowering. Twentieth century global social change organizations (GSCOs) not limited by state interests and national boundaries, are helping to open up the two-way learning process and inspire new visions of possible futures for the whole of humankind. In particular, it is proposed that GSCOs are one of the most important vehicles in existence for crafting the world civic culture. The article concludes with several propositions for future research regarding the core contributions of GSCOs. These contributions are: (1) providing society with longer-term time horizons and visions; (2) lobbying for constructive foreign policies of national-states; (3) serving as educational forums for world citizenship; (4) expanding conceptual innovations and state-of-the art expertise; (5) integrating knowledge vehicles across disciplines; (6) creating and maintaining information channels; and (7) offering action as an antidote to despair.

Keywords

axial ages transnationalism nongovernmental organizations

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