Epochs of European Civilization: Antiquity To Renaissance

Written by Geoffrey Hosking

Narrated by Geoffrey Hosking

The four main themes of this course are answers to the question, "What makes Europe distinctive compared with other parts of the world?" 1. The Nation State. The idea of the State or sovereign authority takes on a new significance when it is attached to a nation or a people who have an idea of a common origin and identity. This idea was developed first and most powerfully in Europe. 2. Citizenship. When a nation is made up of citizens, they feel a greater commitment to the community. 3. The scientific method enables one to ask questions about the universe and the nature of human beings, and to obtain answers that work well in practice. 4. Developed Broadly Based Public Finance. The idea that government can mobilize the wealth of a whole people.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Recorded Books, Inc.
• Release date: Oct 3, 2008
• ISBN: 9781436173940

Geoffrey Hosking

Geoffrey Hosking has been Professor of Russian History at the School of Slavonic Studies, University of London, since 1984. He is the author of the award-winning ‘History of the Soviet Union’ for Fontana Press. In 1988, Professor Hosking was invited to give the annual BBC Reith lectures and spoke on the subject of Change in Contemporary Soviet Society, in doing so accurately predicting the imminent collapse of the Soviet Union.