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The Decay of Western Civilisation and Resurgence of Russia
What explains the rise of populist movements across the West and their affinity towards Russia? UKIP’s Brexit victory, Trump’s triumph, and the successive elections and referendums in Europe were united by a repudiation of the liberal international order. These new political forces envision the struggle to reproduce and advance Western civilisation to be fought along a patriotism–cosmopolitanism or nationalism–globalism battlefield, in which Russia becomes a partner rather than an adversary. Armed with neomodernism and geoeconomics, Russia has inadvertently taken on a central role in the decay of Western civilisation. This book explores the cooperation and competition between Western and Russian civilisation and the rise of anti-establishment political forces both contesting the international liberal order and expressing the desire for closer relations with Russia. Diesen proposes that Western civilisation has reached a critical juncture as modern society (gesellschaft) has overwhelmed and exhausted the traditional community (gemeinschaft) and shows the causes for the decay of Western civilisation and the subsequent impact on cooperation and conflict with Russia. The author also considers whether Russia’s international conservativism is authentic and can negate the West’s decadence, or if it is merely a shrewd strategy by a rival civilisation also in decay. This volume will be of interest to scholars of international relations, political science, security studies, international political economy, and Russian studies.
218 pages, Hardcover
Published August 22, 2018
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February 22, 2025
Glenn Diesen’s The Decline of Western Civilisation and the Rise of Russia (2022) is a provocative and ambitious analysis of the shifting geopolitical landscape in the 21st century. The book argues that the West, particularly the United States and Europe, is experiencing a civilizational decline due to ideological fragmentation, economic mismanagement, and geopolitical overreach. In contrast, Diesen presents Russia as an emerging pillar of a multipolar world, actively challenging Western hegemony and shaping an alternative global order. While the book offers a compelling critique of Western policies, its arguments often reflect a Russia-centric perspective, which may limit its broader applicability.
Diesen’s central thesis is that the West’s decline is not merely economic or geopolitical but fundamentally civilizational. He attributes this decline to internal ideological conflicts, particularly the rise of what he sees as radical liberalism, which he argues undermines social cohesion, national identity, and economic stability. He contrasts this with Russia’s emphasis on sovereignty, traditional values, and strategic autonomy, positioning it as a counterweight to Western liberalism.
The book is structured around several key themes: the erosion of Western economic dominance, the decline of political and cultural unity in Western societies, and Russia’s role in shaping a multipolar world. Diesen discusses how economic globalization, once a tool of Western influence, has led to unintended consequences, including the empowerment of non-Western states like China and Russia. He further critiques Western financial and technological policies, arguing that they have contributed to deindustrialization, economic stagnation, and increasing social inequalities.
One of the book’s most thought-provoking sections examines the ideological dimension of global politics. Diesen argues that the West’s embrace of progressive ideologies, including identity politics and neoliberal economic policies, has created internal divisions and weakened its global influence. In contrast, Russia, he asserts, has sought to restore a sense of national identity and stability, leveraging conservative values to maintain social cohesion. While this argument aligns with broader critiques of Western political culture, it risks oversimplifying the complex political dynamics within both Western and Russian societies.
One of the book’s primary strengths is its broad historical and geopolitical perspective. Diesen situates contemporary global shifts within a longer historical trajectory, drawing parallels between the decline of past empires and the challenges facing the modern West. His discussion of economic multipolarity is particularly insightful, offering a detailed examination of how de-dollarization, energy politics, and technological sovereignty are reshaping international relations.
Additionally, Diesen’s analysis of Russia’s strategic partnerships, particularly with China and other Eurasian states, provides a valuable counterpoint to dominant Western narratives. He effectively highlights how Russia has adapted to Western sanctions and sought to build alternative economic and security frameworks, challenging the assumption that Western economic pressure alone can weaken Russian influence.
Despite its strengths, The Decline of Western Civilisation and the Rise of Russia is not without its limitations. One of the primary critiques is its relatively uncritical stance toward Russia’s domestic and foreign policies. While Diesen rightly identifies Western strategic miscalculations, his analysis often lacks a similar level of scrutiny when discussing Russia’s internal challenges, including economic inefficiencies, political centralization, and demographic issues. A more balanced assessment of Russia’s strengths and weaknesses would have strengthened the book’s credibility.
Furthermore, Diesen’s portrayal of Western decline, while compelling, occasionally veers into determinism. His argument that progressive ideologies are a primary cause of civilizational decline is controversial and not universally accepted among scholars. While ideological divisions exist in the West, attributing them as a central factor in geopolitical shifts may oversimplify the broader structural and economic forces at play.
Overall, The Decline of Western Civilisation and the Rise of Russia is a thought-provoking and well-researched contribution to the debate on global power shifts. It challenges dominant Western perspectives and offers an alternative framework for understanding the decline of Western influence and the rise of multipolarity. While some of its arguments may be contested, and its analysis of Russia’s role could benefit from a more critical approach, the book provides valuable insights into the evolving geopolitical landscape. Scholars, policymakers, and analysts interested in global power dynamics and Eurasian geopolitics will find it a stimulating and timely read.
GPT
Diesen’s central thesis is that the West’s decline is not merely economic or geopolitical but fundamentally civilizational. He attributes this decline to internal ideological conflicts, particularly the rise of what he sees as radical liberalism, which he argues undermines social cohesion, national identity, and economic stability. He contrasts this with Russia’s emphasis on sovereignty, traditional values, and strategic autonomy, positioning it as a counterweight to Western liberalism.
The book is structured around several key themes: the erosion of Western economic dominance, the decline of political and cultural unity in Western societies, and Russia’s role in shaping a multipolar world. Diesen discusses how economic globalization, once a tool of Western influence, has led to unintended consequences, including the empowerment of non-Western states like China and Russia. He further critiques Western financial and technological policies, arguing that they have contributed to deindustrialization, economic stagnation, and increasing social inequalities.
One of the book’s most thought-provoking sections examines the ideological dimension of global politics. Diesen argues that the West’s embrace of progressive ideologies, including identity politics and neoliberal economic policies, has created internal divisions and weakened its global influence. In contrast, Russia, he asserts, has sought to restore a sense of national identity and stability, leveraging conservative values to maintain social cohesion. While this argument aligns with broader critiques of Western political culture, it risks oversimplifying the complex political dynamics within both Western and Russian societies.
One of the book’s primary strengths is its broad historical and geopolitical perspective. Diesen situates contemporary global shifts within a longer historical trajectory, drawing parallels between the decline of past empires and the challenges facing the modern West. His discussion of economic multipolarity is particularly insightful, offering a detailed examination of how de-dollarization, energy politics, and technological sovereignty are reshaping international relations.
Additionally, Diesen’s analysis of Russia’s strategic partnerships, particularly with China and other Eurasian states, provides a valuable counterpoint to dominant Western narratives. He effectively highlights how Russia has adapted to Western sanctions and sought to build alternative economic and security frameworks, challenging the assumption that Western economic pressure alone can weaken Russian influence.
Despite its strengths, The Decline of Western Civilisation and the Rise of Russia is not without its limitations. One of the primary critiques is its relatively uncritical stance toward Russia’s domestic and foreign policies. While Diesen rightly identifies Western strategic miscalculations, his analysis often lacks a similar level of scrutiny when discussing Russia’s internal challenges, including economic inefficiencies, political centralization, and demographic issues. A more balanced assessment of Russia’s strengths and weaknesses would have strengthened the book’s credibility.
Furthermore, Diesen’s portrayal of Western decline, while compelling, occasionally veers into determinism. His argument that progressive ideologies are a primary cause of civilizational decline is controversial and not universally accepted among scholars. While ideological divisions exist in the West, attributing them as a central factor in geopolitical shifts may oversimplify the broader structural and economic forces at play.
Overall, The Decline of Western Civilisation and the Rise of Russia is a thought-provoking and well-researched contribution to the debate on global power shifts. It challenges dominant Western perspectives and offers an alternative framework for understanding the decline of Western influence and the rise of multipolarity. While some of its arguments may be contested, and its analysis of Russia’s role could benefit from a more critical approach, the book provides valuable insights into the evolving geopolitical landscape. Scholars, policymakers, and analysts interested in global power dynamics and Eurasian geopolitics will find it a stimulating and timely read.
GPT
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