The global comparatist (A few ‘do it’-s)

Abstract

1. In the 21th century comparatism will have to comply with the problem of "general literature" based on the global aspect of world literature. Apparently theorizing will no longer be based on historical, poetical etc., etc. material developed or selected in the Western hemisphere. (Earl Miner's book on intercultural poetics 1 is an exemplary case of transition.) 2. The AILC/ICLA project on literatures written in European languages was perhaps the first attempt to challenge the shamefaced assumption of their priority in world culture on an international basis. As a sign of global thinking similar regional projects are launched to cover various other geographical and cultural areas of the world. 3. Comparatism faces the impossible task of the emancipation of the literatures of small nations. Perhaps an AILC/ICLA commission (or several commissions as the problems vary according to the interregional, intercultural etc. assets of the case) should be charged with the theoretical and institutional implications of the problem. 4. The traditions of comparatism are rooted deep in European conceptions and institutions of literature. There are good reasons to adhere to the basic disciplinary values of these traditions (systematism, hierarchization and historization) parallel with the decentralization and polycentrism of global comparatism.