r of a centre for Islamic studies in Oxford. I wonder to what extent this is Ferguson pandering to a US audience: the opening of an Islamic centre in Oxford is hardly the end of Western Civilisation as we know it. He also brings in a familiar trope in US circles – the decadence of Europe – quoting figures for the decline of church-going. Again I’m unhappy with the implications of this: that the only defence against Muslim expansionism is Christianity. What happened to the whole Enlightenment project? I thought that was what we’re fighting for.
Also it’s not clear in this context to what extent Britain is included in Europe. This is a general problem I have with US discussions on Europe. I tend to think not on the whole, but it does, in the standard wisdom, reflect a problem we have with our definition of ourselves. Personally I don’t really see the problem. Where are we? We’re between Europe and the US geographically, politically, and culturally. What’s the problem with that? Why do we have to choose?
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