An Outline of a Theory of Civilization (Bunmeiron no gairyaku)

In An Outline of a Theory of Civilization, Fukuzawa’s purpose is to demonstrate how Japan needed to change in order to become a strong nation state capable of retaining its independence. Using a wide range of historical evidence and many humorous examples, he argues that the key differences separating Western countries from Japan, and Asia as a while, involve not material culture, but the extent to which people act as free and responsible individuals. (Excerpt from the back cover of An Outline of a Theory of Civilization.)