A New World Arising

From Western Cultural Domination to a Dialogue of Civilisations


This unique book offers an in-depth look at the four civilizations that will play a pivotal role in shaping the next few decades – Japanese, Chinese, Indian and Islamic civilizations. 


Bill Kelly, a retired lecturer in communication studies at UCLA, displays his remarkable writing skills as he introduces us to leading cultural and political figures of this expansive region, ranging from Chinese social and political thinkers and Islamic poets to Indian spiritual visionaries and Japanese writers, philosophers, and artists.


Kelly combines high-level scholarship with first-hand experience. He spent over two decades in Asia, which comes through in these pages. In a time of fleeting social media and incessant sound bites, Kelly reminds us of the joys of spending the evening with a compelling read that broadens our perspective of the world and shows us the vital cultural and political contributions that Asian peoples can make to our common future.


“This book incorporates sweeping research, complex integrative thinking, and an eye toward learning from the past to navigate the future. Dr. Kelly’s in-depth examination invokes an abundance of questions as it invites readers to re-think the confluence of civilizational cultures in the 21st century.” — Dr. Kathryn Sorrells, Professor Emeritus of Communication Studies, California States University,

Northridge author of “Intercultural Communication: Globalization and Social Justice.”


"Each of the four civilizations Dr. Kelly spotlights in A New World Arising have been traumatized in different ways by their encounters with the West. How each reacted, and how these responses were and are informed by their distinct heritages is the subject of this book. As Kelly adroitly explains, each of these civilizations is in the process of engaging in two contrasting projects: dealing with the negative

impact of Western imperialism, while forging alternative paths to confronting the global challenges. Their responses to these projects have meaning for all of us. While the jury is still out, it’s Kelly’s belief that each of these civilizations possesses traditional sources of wisdom that can help us address the interrelated crises of peace, economic inequality and environmental decay. This book masterly

synthesizes Indian, Chinese, Islamic and Japanese history while bringing to our awareness largely unrecognized perspectives of scholars from each of these traditions." — Angelo John Lewis, director of the Sacred Inclusion Network, originator of the Dialogue Circle Method, and author of “Notes for a New Age.”