An analysis of John Gray's political thought

This thesis will center on John Gray?s political and philosophical thought. Gray is one of the most controversial public intellectuals alive today. His works have served as nothing less than an intellectual demolition job that has shaken the foundational assumptions of modern Western civilization. His scathing attacks on the Enlightenment, monotheism, the notion of `progress?, globalization and modern ideologies across the political spectrum, from Marxism to free market capitalism, have incited heated debates in academia and beyond. His characterization of humanity as a species of deluded and rapacious primates who are very likely headed towards self-destruction has caused some to dismiss him as a nihilistic and misanthropic pessimist. However, the purpose of this thesis is not to engage in the polemics that have been aroused by Gray?s ideas. Rather, it will seek to further enliven the debate by focusing more intensely on Gray?s bleak view of the future. It will probe the political, social and economic processes cited by Gray as the underlying dynamics of this predicament. And finally, it will seek to test possible solutions to the grim prospects identified by him. In so doing, the thesis will attempt to show that John Gray?s assertions have been overly cynical in some areas and (surprisingly), not cynical enough in others.