Culture is essential to everything we do and is going to play a very significant role in the world of the future. In spite of this, most of us have only a hazy understanding of culture and do not realize how it will affect individual, institutional, community, national, and international affairs. This volume delves into the domain of culture―both as a concept and as a reality―and proposes a formulation of the world system of the future according to culture's highest and most enduring principles. The author draws on many disciplines―anthropology, sociology, philosophy, cosmology, history, economics, and the arts―to make his case that culture and cultures should be accorded a central position in global development and human affairs in the future.

Culture: Beacon of the Future (Praeger Studies on the 21st Century)

Politics & Social Sciences

Schafer, D. Paul

Social Sciences

Praeger

Culture is essential to everything we do and is going to play a very significant role in the world of the future. In spite of this, most of us have only a hazy understanding of culture and do not realize how it will affect individual, institutional, community, national, and international affairs. This volume delves into the domain of culture―both as a concept and as a reality―and proposes a formulation of the world system of the future according to culture's highest and most enduring principles. The author draws on many disciplines―anthropology, sociology, philosophy, cosmology, history, economics, and the arts―to make his case that culture and cultures should be accorded a central position in global development and human affairs in the future.

In Revolution or Renaissance, D. Paul Schafer subjects two of the most powerful forces in the world – economics and culture – to a detailed and historically sensitive analysis. He argues that the economic age has produced a great deal of wealth and unleashed tremendous productive power; however, it is not capable of coming to grips with the problems threatening human and non-human life on this planet. After tracing the evolution of the economic age from the publication of Adam Smith's The Wealth of Nations in 1776 to the present, he turns his attention to culture, examining it both as a concept and as a reality. What emerges is a portrait of the world system of the future where culture is the central focus of development. According to Schafer, making the transition from an economic age to a cultural age is imperative if global harmony, environmental sustainability, economic viability, and human well-being are to be achieved.

Revolution or Renaissance: Making the Transition from an Economic Age to a Cultural Age (Governance Series)

University of Ottawa Press

"This is an exciting and visionary book, showing why an age of culture is necessary and how it can be achieved." -- Biserka Cvjeticanin, Director, Culturelink/Institute for Development and International Relations.
"Paul Schafer believes that we are standing at the threshold of a new era of global development and human affairs that should be driven by a holistic cultural perspective." -- Robert Palmer, former Director of Democratic Governance, Culture, and Diversity at the Council of Europe.
"Paul Schafer's vision of the centrality of culture to our lives, to societal development, and to the future of civilization has shaped policy development at the local, national, and international levels over the past four decades. His message cannot be ignored." -- Joyce Zemans, York University. 
In this ground-breaking work, cultural scholar D. Paul Schafer draws on a lifetime of research and reflection to consider the implications of what he calls the cultural world view and the promise it holds for a more humane and fulfilling future.
Arguing that the current world system is overly dominated by economic ways of thinking about and acting within the world, Schafer considers what would be the prerequisites for a cultural age, the ways in which a cultural age would transform patterns of human life, and the advances in human fulfilment that the adoption of such an age and its associated values would bring.
Since the first international conference on cultural policy was held in Venice in 1970, culture has grown to be of increasing interest and importance to nations and individuals alike. Delegates at the 2013 International Congress on Culture in Hangzhou, China, declared cultural issues to be central to sustainable development, with a later session initiated by the UN's General Assembly placing culture squarely at the centre of the sustainability agenda.
In less than fifty years, culture has moved from being seen as a peripheral activity in the world to being utterly indispensable to the achievement of vital social and developmental goals. It is now apparent that culture (and by this is meant culture in the broadest sense, as the sum of human experience and achievement) is intimately connected to all the world's most pressing problems -- and may hold the solution to many of them.
Such problems are legion in today's world: climate change, glaring inequalities in the distribution of wealth and income, resource depletion, and conflicts between different nations, ethnic groups, and individuals. None of these problems can be addressed effectively, much less resolved, without recourse to the holistic, all-encompassing perspective that culture provides. Narrow views no longer suffice, and the status quo is unacceptable.
Paul Schafer has spent much of his life wrestling with these problems and demonstrating why culture has a crucial role to play in coming to grips with them. We ignore the book's timely, urgent, yet ultimately hopeful message at our peril.

The Age of Culture

Rock's Mills Press

“A celebration of Canadian creativity over many centuries!” —Walter Pitman, former MP, MPP and president of Ryerson University “Far from being unimaginative and unexciting, Canadians are among the world’s most creative people. This book explains why.” —James Gillies, professor emeritus, York University “A perfect point of departure for the rebranding of Canada as a proud, dynamic, innovative, and forward-looking nation.” —John Hobday, former director, Canada Council for the Arts In this exciting new book, noted author and cultural scholar D. Paul Schafer tackles the subject of Canadian creativity in every field of human endeavour, from the arts and entertainment through transportation, communications and industry to science, technology, sports, and conservation of the natural environment. The result is a lively look at the many ways Canadians have helped shape the modern world—some well-known, others hidden in the mists of history. Schafer traces Canadian creativity from its origins in the cultures of the indigenous peoples to the present day. He considers creative inventions large and small—everything from the Robertson screw to the International Space Station’s Canadarm. As Schafer notes, Canadian creativity has been the foundation both of Canada’s high standard of living and its much admired quality of life. In the years ahead, Canadian creativity can serve as a model and inspiration for other nations, and as the principal means of ensuring Canada’s future shines as brightly as its past. More rave reviews ... "Anyone proudly Canadian will find this book fascinating, but teachers will find it particularly helpful in fostering their students' creativity.  It will not be necessary to coax pupils to read this book; it is full of surprising facts and stories about how Canadian creativity has bound together a vast and challenging country and in the process enriched the entire world." —Salvatore Amenta "This book not only sends a message about Canadian creativity, but looks at Canadian history as it has been impacted by that creativity. Paul Schafer shows that Canadians are, indeed, citizens of (and for) the world." —Bill Crothers SOME OF THE ACCOMPLISHMENTS PROFILED IN CELEBRATING CANADIAN CREATIVITY • The remarkable achievements of Canada’s First Nations peoples in transportation (the canoe), shelter (the igloo, teepee, and longhouse), foodstuffs (maple syrup and pemmican) and many other fields • How Canada helped feed the world through the development of Marquis wheat • Little-known Canadian pioneers in the development of the electric light bulb, radio, and the electronic music synthesizer • Yes, Alexander Graham Bell was the man who invented the telephone—but did you know he also played a major role in early aeronautics and in the development of the hydrofoil boat? • Canada’s role in the shaping of the modern sporting world through the invention of basketball and contributions to curling and to Canada’s national sport of hockey • The creation by Sir Adam Beck and Thomas Ahearn of the Canadian hydroelectric industry, which helped drive the country’s rapid industrial growth in the early twentieth century • Strategic breakthroughs in medicine and health care by William Osler, Emily Stowe, Tommy Douglas, Frederick Banting, Charles Best, James Till, Ernest McCulloch, and many others  • Canada’s remarkable role in the early development of Hollywood and Broadway as well as recent contributions to pop music through such talents as Céline Dion, Michael Bublé, Drake, and many other singers and songwriters • Canadian writers who have achieved global recognition, from Thomas Chandler Haliburton, Stephen Leacock, Lucy Maud Montgomery, Gabrielle Roy, Robert Service, and Morley Callaghan to Margaret Atwood, Carol Shields, Lawrence Hill, and Nobel prize-winner Alice Munro

Celebrating Canadian Creativity

History

Americas

Celebrate Canada’s sesquicentennialby celebrating Canadian creativity!
In this exciting new book, noted author and cultural scholar D. Paul Schafer tackles the subject of Canadian creativity in every field of human endeavour, from the arts and entertainment through transportation, communications and industry to science, technology, sports, and conservation of the natural environment. As Schafer notes, creativity has been the foundation both of Canada’s high standard of living and its much admired quality of life. In the years ahead, Canadian creativity can serve as a model and inspiration for other nations, and as the principal means of ensuring Canada’s future shines as brightly as its past. Accomplishments profiled in Celebrating Canadian Creativity include:
• The remarkable achievements of Canada’s Indigenous peoples in transportation (the canoe), shelter (the igloo, teepee, and longhouse), foodstuffs (maple syrup and pemmican) and many other fields
• How Canada helped feed the world through the development of Marquis wheat
• Little-known Canadian pioneers in the development of the electric light bulb, radio, and the electronic music synthesizer
• Alexander Graham Bell’s little-known achievements in early aeronautics and the development of the hydrofoil boat
• Canada’s role in shaping the modern sporting world through the invention of basketball and contributions to curling and to the country’s national sport of hockey
• Strategic breakthroughs in medicine and health care by William Osler, Emily Stowe, Tommy Douglas, Frederick Banting, Charles Best, James Till, Ernest McCulloch, and many others
• Canada’s remarkable role in the early development of Hollywood and Broadway as well as recent contributions to pop music through such talents as Céline Dion, Michael Bublé, Drake, and many other singers and songwriters
• Canadian writers who have achieved global recognition, from Thomas Chandler Haliburton, Stephen Leacock, Lucy Maud Montgomery, Gabrielle Roy, Robert Service, and Morley Callaghan to Margaret Atwood, Carol Shields, Lawrence Hill, and Nobel prize-winner Alice Munro
“A celebration of Canadian creativity over many centuries!” —Walter Pitman, former MP, MPP and president of Ryerson University
“Far from being unimaginative and unexciting, Canadians are among the world’s most creative people. This book explains why.” —James Gillies, professor emeritus, York University
“A perfect point of departure for the rebranding of Canada as a proud, dynamic, innovative, and forward-looking nation.” —John Hobday, former director, Canada Council for the Arts
"Anyone proudly Canadian will find this book fascinating, but teachers will find it particularly helpful in fostering their students' creativity. It will not be necessary to coax pupils to read this book; it is full of surprising facts and stories about how Canadian creativity has bound together a vast and challenging country and in the process enriched the entire world." —Salvatore Amenta
"This book not only sends a message about Canadian creativity, but looks at Canadian history as it has been impacted by that creativity. Paul Schafer shows that Canadians are, indeed, citizens of (and for) the world." —Bill Crothers

Celebrating Canadian Creativity: Canada 150 Edition

In this exciting book, noted cultural scholar and arts advocate D. Paul Schafer examines the powerful role the arts can play, both in helping individuals live more fulfilling lives and in allowing humanity as a whole to enter a new and dynamic period in its history-what Schafer calls a "cultural age." Indeed, it is only by moving through that gateway that humanity will be able to overcome the enormous challenges confronting it today. Schafer surveys new research showing how participation in the arts can help people cope with various illnesses and diseases, come to grips with old age and the final years of life, deal with the consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic and racial conflicts, and overcome anxiety, apprehension, and depression brought on by lack of human contact, job losses, and uncertainties about the future. In the author's view, a new era is opening up-an era in which the arts will soar to new heights, broadening and deepening our collective knowledge and understanding of culture and all the diverse cultures and civilizations in the world, allowing us to realize higher goals, objectives, and ideals for humanity, and yielding more caring, sharing, compassion, and cooperation in the world. Schafer sheds light on this crucial transformation by weaving together a number of articles he has written on the arts over the past several years, updating them in terms of present developments and future needs. The book begins with an examination of the arts as the foundation for life, and ends by considering why the transition to a cultural age is so essential, what it is designed to accomplish, and how it can be achieved. "D. Paul Schafer is the sage we need today. He brings wisdom and guidance about how and why we must live a life filled with arts and culture. He clearly articulates the benefits of an arts-infused foundation for individuals, but also shares the profound positive implications to society when they are collectively valued and used. In one of the world's most uncertain and catastrophic moments, Schafer has fiercely penned a beautiful and deeply powerful path forward. Embracing humanity's most potent tools of aesthetics, culture and the arts, he weaves together the threads of social connection, identity, health, learning and well-being. The Arts: Gateway to a Fulfilling Life and Cultural Age is a love letter to the arts and cultures of the world, and importantly an instruction manual for all of her inhabitants. It will make you laugh and cry, reconnecting you to something perhaps missing in your life that you couldn't name-until now." -Susan Magsamen, Executive Director, International Arts + Mind Lab, Johns Hopkins University "The arts and culture are connectors, in good and troubled times, as seen with COVID-19 and Black Lives Matter, and are as essential to the changing global dynamic as they are nationally. D. Paul Schafer eloquently makes the case for the arts and culture in this accessible, articulate book. We ignore his insights at our peril." -The Honourable Patricia Bovey, FRSA, FCMA, Senator for Manitoba, Senate of Canada "Paul Schafer's books are much discussed among those of us who strive to use arts activities to drive sustainable positive change-within our lives, workplaces and communities. Paul's new book is sure to be of great interest for artists, arts organizations and policymakers ... at this crucial time and in the years to come." -Grant Hall, founder, League of Cultural Diplomacy

The Arts: Gateway to a Fulfilling Life and Cultural Age

Arts & Photography

Review\nAs I read The World As Culture I found myself filled with hope. There is a rightness, a coming back to what is authentically human in this beautifully written and potent book. In a world where there is so much wrong, Paul Schafer offers a path forward, perhaps reminding us of our birthright and revealing what we already know deep down in our hearts---to live in our true nature is to create a culture where we all can thrive. ---Susan Magsamen, Executive Director, International Arts+Mind Lab, Johns Hopkins University 
An exciting vision... Schafer suggests we shed our dependence on seeing the world through an economic lens and shift to foregrounding culture as the holistic lens through which to understand the world. This book is a remarkable culmination of his work. ---Sascha Priewe, Associate Vice President, Strategic Initiatives and Partnerships, Royal Ontario Museum, Toronto, Canada 
The world is bigger than you think! This book provides the evidence. It opens our eyes to the riches of human creativity beyond restrictive social boundaries and economics. Paul Schafer reminds us that we plant, harvest, and nourish our lives from the garden of culture, not in marketplace haggling. We are culture, and we make culture as we seek to sustain ourselves and each other. ---Dr. George F. Simons, Interculturalist, Creator of diversophy 
Emphasizing culture as a whole or total way of life, Schafer warns that no subject is more important ... than learning about culture and all the many diverse cultures in the world. This is because cultural diversity and intercultural dialogue as a development resource, as a strengthening of the awareness of common values, are the main challenge of our time. The demand for making the world as culture a reality proves this perfectly. ---Biserka Cvjetičanin, Senior Scientific Researcher at the Institute for Development and International Relations (IRMO), Croatia 
The World as Culture is about the benefits of seeing the world from a cultural perspective. If you appreciate visionary writing about the resolution of our current cultural and economic dilemmas, this book is for you. ---Frank Pasquill, Canadian eco-culturalist 
An enlightening, convincing, and extensively documented invitation to cultivate the soul and harness the potential of culture ... written by an expert in this field, who has dedicated much of his life to this subject. It is time to approach our civilizational crisis in a holistic manner through seeing the "world as culture". A must read! ---Thomas Legrand, author of Politics of Being and advisor to UN agencies, governments, and non-governmental organizations on sustainability 
Paul Schafer explains why humanity needs to transform its current focus on economics to culture. He guides the reader through a 2,000-year history of ideas that emphasizes culture as a total way of life rather than a set of products to consume, and shows that this holistic approach to culture can help humanity resolve the world's current crises. Schafer explains that culture envelops all areas of life, including material and spiritual, and his expertise in both economics and culture studies provides solid guidance for leveraging our cultural resources to finally reach our full potential for well-being. ---Brian Holihan, author of Thinking in a New Light: How to Boost Your Creativity and Live More Fully by Exploring World Cultures\nIn this thought-provoking book, noted cultural scholar D. Paul Schafer makes the case for what he calls the world as culture --- a world in which culture is the central organizing principle of human civilization. 
For the past two and a half centuries, we have lived in a world in which economics and economic principles reign supreme. Although the world of economics is likely humanity's greatest achievement, Schafer argues that economics and its associated modes of thought is incapable of coming to grips with the enormous problems we face today. Humanity must move towar

The World as Culture: Cultivation of the Soul to the Cosmic Whole

World

The Great Cultural Awakening: Key to an Equitable, Sustainable, and Harmonious Age

Religion & Spirituality

See the best price to sell, buy, or rent books by Schafer, D. Paul. BookScouter helps to compare book prices from 25+ online bookstores and 30+ buyback vendors with a single search.

Books by Schafer, D. Paul

See the best price to sell, buy, or rent books by Schafer, D. Paul. BookScouter helps to compare book prices from 25+ online bookstores and 30+ buyback vendors with a single search.

Culture: Beacon of the Future (Praeger Studies on the 21st Century)

Culture: Beacon of the Future (Praeger Studies on the 21st Century)

Revolution or Renaissance: Making the Transition from an Economic Age to a Cultural Age (Governance Series)

The Age of Culture

Celebrating Canadian Creativity

Celebrating Canadian Creativity: Canada 150 Edition

The Arts: Gateway to a Fulfilling Life and Cultural Age

The World as Culture: Cultivation of the Soul to the Cosmic Whole

The Great Cultural Awakening: Key to an Equitable, Sustainable, and Harmonious Age