ABSTRACT
The central characteristics of the East-West conflict consisted in a confrontational competition between differing norms and values, globally pursued as national interests.
Ideocentrism is a form of normative intolerance or the lack of readiness to consider an alternative system of values as equal in principle.
A brief sketch of ideological change is followed by an exposition of relevant factual developments which lend credibility to the change. A framework of 9 problems is formulated which is meant to give critical substance to the ensuing (selective) discussion of contents and conditions of a new European order:
How are the historic causes of ideocentrism mutually perceived; to what extent did the West contribute to its genesis; what are the remnants of past ideocentric positions; what could a common normative basis consist of; to what extent is ideocentrism now economically centered (i.e. market-oriented rules considered as absolutely and universally valid); to what extent is it nationalistically centered (i.e. national interests considered as absolutely and universally valid); to what extent is it culturally centered (i.e. Western forms of life seen as universal paradigm); which safety mechanisms can there be to prevent a revival; what are the legacies of ideocentrism?
