Us and Them: Alienation and World Order

Resumen

This article focuse son the division of the world into mutually exclusive identity groups and its implication for international affairs. To this end, the concepts of alienation and estrangement are developed as useful analytical tools, and the sources of alienation and estrangement in the state system are discussed. The Baha'i model of world unity and world civilization is presented as a value system that specifically highlights the need tp overcome divisions in global society. Lastly, the concepts developed are employed to assess the phenomenon of European integration.