Dieter Neubert is Professor of Development Sociology at the University of Bayreuth.

Christine Scherer is Coordinator of the Bayreuth International Graduate School of African Studies, University of Bayreuth.

Current debates on the transnational impact of world views (interpretive frameworks) often refer to the concepts of `globalisation' or `travelling models' with an emphasis on domination or on a process of translation. This volume highlights situations where different world views are confronted with each other and the question how the actors mediate between the two. The conceptual chapters foster a critical view on the normative implications of agency itself as well as they reflect on the claim of interpretive hegemonony of human rights, concepts of law, democracy, or neoliberalism. In addition, we present contributions that examine the confrontation of world views in particular cases. They are discussed on distinct empirical grounds such as law, e.g. islamic law, children's rights, law and development, political ideology and analyse the role of transcendental powers.

Contributors are: W. van Beek, P. Chabal, H. Dorsch, D. Goetze, S. Howell, N. Oberauer, E. Macamo & D. Neubert, H. Sippel & U. Wanitzek.