Worldviews and Mind-sets: American vs. European Perspectives on Mediterranean (Environmental) Security Policy

The perception of present developments and future trends on security relevant challenges in the Mediterranean region differ according to the worldviews, mind-sets and conceptual lenses of scientists, analysts and decision-makers (Hill/Beschoff 1994). Social scientists have been influenced by different intellectual traditions or worldviews (Gabriel 1994), by scientific schools and theoretical contexts (Goertz 1994). The cultural heritage and religious factors have also influenced the macro theories (Meyers 1984, 1993, 1994, 1994a) of the analyst.