It is an expression of a basic

weakening of Western Europe's sense of purpose, capacity to

lead, and to govern itself. Above all, it is the source of a

profound divorce between the ruling people and the young

talents.

Even if it does not affect the general public, which tends

to react against highbrow pessimism, the overall mood of

Western societies is shaped by a general cultural tendency.

West European values are not rejuvenated in a convincing

way. No model of civilization emerges from the present-day

drifting culture, no call for reform and pioneering. Ritualism

and self-pity remain the basic undercurrent behind the

arrogant radical criticism that prevails on the surface. Vague

utopias certainly do not counterbalance the stronger

apocalyptic nihilism that forms the texture of our vanguard

culture. On the other hand, there is no possible dialogue

between the ruling elite and the new generation. Fragmenta-

tion and stratification, which were stifling traditional class

society, seem to perpetuate themselves through new cultural

cleavages. Other regulatory mechanisms which we cannot

distinguish yet may be at work. A new blossoming may well

follow this long hibernating process. But we must face the

fact that we are now in the most vulnerable part of the cycle

of change or, to put it a better way, of the process of

transition to post-industrial society.