THE EVOLUTION OF LOCAL HUMAN CIVILIZATIONS AND
THE PROBLEM OF THE PROLIFERATION OF STANDARDS
IN INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS

Leonid Iu. Gusev, Andrey A. Kazantsev

MGIMO University

Abstract

The authors consider the ongoing development of local human civilizations in the neighboring regions to Russia (Europe, the Islamic world, and the Pacific Rim). This issue is analyzed through the proliferation of norms within the system of international relations, a key process in guaranteeing international stability. The authors conclude that the speed of norm proliferation in international relations in the twenty-first century will be hampered by a number of factors. First, the dynamics of European and American development indicate a clear decrease in unifying potential as a result of Western influence on other civilizations. Second, the study of the development of Islamic civilization indicates a significant potential for rejection of norm unification. Third, analysis of Pacific Rim civilizations demonstrates that economic development of this region is accompanied by a set of alternative cultural norms to the Eurocentric world.

Keywords: human civilizations, international relations, proliferation and unification of norms, Western world, Islamic world, Pacific Rim.

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