By Rana Danish Nisar
In the year 1993, Samuel P. Huntington, a renowned political scientist, presented his thought-provoking argument in an article titled “The Clash of Civilizations?” which was published in the esteemed magazine Foreign Affairs.
Subsequently, the aforementioned work was further developed into a comprehensive book titled “The Clash of Civilizations and the Remaking of World Order.” In the post-Cold War age, according to Huntington’s theory, wars will be sparked primarily by cultural and religious differences rather than by ideological or economic ones.
According to this theoretical paradigm, ideological and geographical differences are less likely to trigger wars than long-term cultural exchanges between different civilizations. This paper will examine Huntington’s theory and assess its applicability to the current international context. Such examination aims to understand the essential notions of the theory, evaluate its criticisms and determine its applicability to international politics, and explore how globalization, technology and power dynamics have altered cultural interdependence.
Huntington’s theory represented a challenge to the widespread idea that conflicts in the post-Cold War era would arise primarily from ideological or nationalistic motives. Instead, the author argued that cultural and civilizational disparities would be the predominant catalyst for world conflicts. Huntington’s theory predicted the division of the world into several significant civilizations distinguished by unique cultural, religious and historical characteristics. According to the author, the mentioned civilizations, including but not limited to Western, Islamic, Confucian and Hindu, are the main entities exerting their influence in the global arena. The dynamics of their interactions are said to play a key role in shaping the trajectory of international relations in the times to come.
Huntington’s assertion that “the clash of civilizations will be the conflict that defines the future” has gained significant recognition.
According to Huntington’s idea, the global landscape can be classified into nine primary civilizations, each marked by unique cultural, religious and historical characteristics. The author hypothesized that in the post-Cold War era, conflicts would arise primarily along divisions between different civilizations.
These conflicts would have manifested as clashes between distinct groups of values, identities and interests. Huntington’s research presented a critique of the dominant perspective that saw conflicts as primarily motivated by ideological or economic causes, exemplified by East-West competition during the Cold War. Huntington’s classification encompasses several significant civilizations, including the Western Civilization (which includes North America and Europe), the Latin American Civilization, the Islamic Civilization (which includes the Middle East, North Africa, and parts of South Asia) Sinic Civilization (which refers to China), Hindu Civilization (which refers to India), Orthodox Civilization (which includes Eastern Europe and parts of the Balkans), Japanese Civilization, Buddhist Civilization (which refers to Southeast Asia), and African Civilization.
Huntington hypothesized that after the conclusion of the Cold War, the prevailing bipolar global structure defined by the United States and the Soviet Union would be transformed into a multipolar framework in which civilizational identities would assume a central role in defining the dynamics of international relations. The author made a prediction about the emergence of future turmoil influenced by cultural and religious issues, citing wars in regions such as the Balkans, the Middle East and South Asia as examples.
Critics argue that Huntington’s theory oversimplifies intricate societies and cultures, painting them as uniform and homogeneous entities, ignoring the inherent diversity and variations that exist within civilizations. The aforementioned perspective fails to recognize the inherent complexity of civilizations, in which individuals often show a propensity to align themselves with different cultural or religious groups. Huntington’s theory has been criticized for espousing cultural determinism, according to which conflicts are driven only by culture and religion. The analysis fails to recognize the importance of economic, political and historical elements in influencing the dynamics of international relations.
The hypothesis shows the tendency to homogenize entire civilizations, neglecting internal variations and divisions. The portrayal of Islamic civilization as monolithic is a common misconception that does not take into account the significant diversity that exists in Muslim-majority countries. Huntington’s emphasis on cultural and religious aspects fails to recognize the economic and political origins of conflicts. Conflicts that are commonly mistakenly attributed simply to cultural disagreements often have underlying factors such as socioeconomic inequalities, governance challenges, and competition for resources. Some detractors argue that Huntington’s theory has a deterministic and dismal overtone, suggesting that the clash of civilizations is an inevitable outcome. Proponents espouse a more optimistic viewpoint, favoring the capacity for dialogue, collaboration and cross-cultural interaction.
The 21st century has been marked by an unprecedented period of globalization, characterized by higher levels of interconnectivity, trade and cultural interchange. The phenomenon of globalization has led to the erasure of conventional boundaries, thus facilitating cross-cultural exchanges and challenging the concept of civilizations as self-sufficient entities.
Technological progress, particularly the advent of the Internet and social media platforms, has had a transformative impact on the domains of communication and information distribution. Individuals from different cultural backgrounds have the opportunity to establish immediate connections, thus overcoming the limitations imposed by geographic and cultural boundaries. The advent of the digital age has led to the emergence of new manifestations of identity that transcend the conventional boundaries associated with civilizations.
There is a growing trend among individuals to align themselves with global, transnational or hybrid identities that challenge the conventional classification system proposed by Huntington’s theory of civilizations. The current landscape of international relations is significantly influenced by global concerns, including but not limited to climate change and resource scarcity. These issues require joint efforts that overcome divisions between civilizations, emphasizing the importance of collaboration instead of confrontation.
A reevaluated view of Huntington’s theory recognizes the intricate nature of current global dynamics. Civilizations are characterized by their dynamic and diverse nature as they undergo processes of evolution, adaptation and interaction. In contemporary international relations, the focus is shifting from examining clashes alone to highlighting the importance of cultural interaction, the emergence of hybrid identities and the integration of diverse traditions. Globalization facilitates the convergence of many cultures, resulting in amalgamation and synthesis of cultural elements. Huntington’s thesis does not adequately address the existence of regional variations within civilizations. The influence of regional dynamics, historical legacies and geopolitical interests often assume a more important role in conflict formation and cooperation.
Identifying the underlying economic, political and social causes is critical to understanding conflicts, along with the potential influence of cultural and religious considerations. It is imperative to consider and address these underlying factors, as they play a key role in the conflict resolution process. The Middle East, often considered an important illustration of Huntington’s struggle between Islamic and Western cultures, experienced the Arab Spring, a sequence of upheavals motivated by aspirations for political rights and economic prospects.
The revolutions mentioned have brought attention to the importance of governance and socioeconomic elements in the birth and escalation of wars. The rivalry between India and Pakistan, often portrayed as a confrontation between Hindu and Islamic civilizations, has an important historical basis.However, current conflicts are fueled primarily by political disagreements, territorial disputes and national interests, rather than being attributed solely to a simple conflict of religious beliefs.
The interaction between China and the Western world exemplifies the intricate dynamics inherent in modern international relations. Despite the presence of cultural and ideological disparities, the existence of economic interconnection and collaboration on global issues demonstrates that oversimplification of disputes as struggles between civilizations is insufficient. Non-state actors, including terrorist organizations and transnational corporations, have emerged as influential participants in the realm of international relations. They often engage in activities that transcend the boundaries of Huntington’s civilizational framework, thereby challenging the conventional state-centric perspective on conflicts.
As part of the reevaluation of the clash of civilizations paradigm, when we delve into the complexities of current global affairs, it becomes evident that the clash of civilizations thesis requires adaptation and reevaluation. The phenomenon of globalization has led to complex and multifaceted cultural exchanges and connections. Individuals actively interact with diverse cultural influences, resulting in a dynamic and adaptive nature of identities. The concepts of cultural contact, hybridization and cosmopolitanism present a challenge to the traditional understanding of civilizations as fixed and insular entities. It is common for individuals and societies to associate with different identities, which include various aspects such as nationality, religion, ethnicity and ideology. The existence of these identities has the potential to cross the boundaries of civilizations, complicating the task of attributing conflicts solely to differences between civilizations. The imperative for international collaboration arises from the urgent global issues facing us in the 21st century, including climate change, pandemics and terrorism.
The resolution of these difficulties necessitates collaborative efforts across civilizational boundaries, hence challenging the notion of an inexorable collision. Non-state players, such as multinational companies, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and transnational social movements, exert considerable influence in influencing global events. Frequently, they act outside the boundaries of established civilizational frameworks and exert effect on global dynamics. The clash of civilizations theory has provided useful insights into the intricate dynamics of cultural and civilizational exchanges.
However, it is crucial to recognise the theory’s limits in comprehensively capturing the intricacies of the contemporary global scene in the 21st century. The ever-changing dynamics of globalization, technology, and altering power structures need the development of a novel framework that incorporates the following principles: constructive engagement and communication among nations and cultures are vital in addressing global concerns. The prioritization of conflict resolution, diplomacy, and negotiation is crucial over confrontational measures. The utilization of multilateral institutions and international cooperation is crucial in effectively tackling global challenges.
The establishment of effective global government necessitates the fostering of collaborative efforts among states, irrespective of cultural or civilizational disparities. The promotion of cultural literacy and the cultivation of global citizenship have the potential to mitigate cultural divisions and facilitate the development of reciprocal comprehension. Education and awareness programmes have the potential to assist individuals in effectively navigating and adapting to varied cultural environments. The recognition and appreciation of cultural and civilizational diversity, alongside the acceptance of shared human experiences, holds significant importance. The prioritization should be given to the recognition and promotion of common values and ambitions that surpass societal divisions.
The thesis of Clash of Civilizations has exerted a significant influence on foreign policy decisions, particularly during the period after the events of September 11th, 2001. Governments and international organizations must prioritize caution in order to prevent the oversimplification of conflicts that are deeply influenced by cultural or religious factors, and instead embrace a more sophisticated and nuanced approach. International groups, such as the United Nations and regional coalitions, play a crucial role in addressing global issues. It is of utmost importance for individuals to adapt to the constantly evolving dynamics of the 21st century, recognising the value of multilateralism and cooperative endeavors.
The challenge of harmonizing the principles of universal human rights with the imperative of cultural sensitivity presents a substantial dilemma in the field of international relations. The duty to uphold peaceful coexistence requires the simultaneous observance of human rights values and the acknowledgment and acceptance of cultural variety. With the start of the digital age came new ways to fight, like information warfare and efforts to spread false information. Social media platforms are used by both government and non-government groups to spread propaganda and try to change people’s minds. This often happens across geographical and cultural borders. Cybersecurity has become an important part of international relations as countries do things like computer espionage, cyberattacks, and hacking. Cyberwarfare is a big problem for the way we usually think about territorial borders and state sovereignty. Digital diplomacy refers to the use of digital tools and technologies to achieve diplomatic goals, such as conducting conversations online and engaging in public diplomacy efforts.
The digital domain offers the potential for governments to increase their soft power capabilities and actively participate in discourse with international audiences. Fostering a mindset of global citizenship, in which individuals develop a sense of identification with humanity as a whole rather than being limited to a particular civilization, has the potential to facilitate cooperation and create empathy across diverse cultural boundaries. The recognition and appreciation of cultural variety and the recognition of universal ideals can foster a more inclusive and harmonious global society. Multicultural communities have the potential to exemplify harmonious coexistence. The presence of global problems such as climate change, pandemics and poverty underscores the imperative for international collaboration that transcends the boundaries of civil divisions. The issues mentioned require the implementation of collective action and the assumption of shared responsibility.
Although Samuel P. Huntington’s Clash of Civilizations thesis has been subject to criticism and difficulties, its basic premise, which states that cultural and religious identities can serve as catalysts for conflict, remains relevant in the contemporary era. But if the complexity of our interconnected global world is to be managed, it is crucial to employ this strategy with precision and care. Policymakers, academics and individuals around the world must understand that conflicts have many faces and are influenced by a variety of factors in order to effectively navigate the complexities of the modern world.
Promoting diversity, fostering conversation, and exploring the underlying causes of conflict is critical to creating a more cooperative and peaceful world. In the 21st century, time is still moving forward, and the Clash of Civilizations theory is critical in highlighting how important it is to understand cultural and religious processes in international affairs. It is critical to remember, however, that this observation also demonstrates the need for a broad and sophisticated strategy that takes into account the fact that conflicts are constantly evolving and that everyone in our global society is interconnected. When we revisit this concept and take another look at it, we discover crucial insights that can help us manage the challenges and exciting possibilities of the present.
Author: Rana Danish Nisar – International Independent Security, Defense, Military, contemporary warfare and Digital-International Relations analyst.
(The views expressed in this article belong only to the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of World Geostrategic Insights)
Image Credit: UN Photo/Sylvain Liechti