The Clash of Civilizations and the Remaking of World Order

The Clash of Civilizations and the Remaking of World Order
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The Clash of Civilizations and the Remaking of World Order
Western civilization features capitalist and democratic beliefs and practices that form the foundation for the interaction and integration of individuals, groups, and nations embracing or sharing in the outlined elements of the perceived advanced way of life. Such occurrences of socio-cultural, political, and economic interaction and integration based on unique sets of beliefs and practices worldwide account for the diverse civilizations embraced by individuals and groups in different nations worldwide. The geopolitical orientation of nations on the premise of common or shared socio-cultural, political, and economic beliefs and practices exposes the global community to inevitable frictions and conflicts among competing civilizations. Samuel P. Huntington’s book, The Clash of Civilizations and the Remaking of World Order, alludes to such a conflict in which he foresees the emergence and downfall of certain civilizations. The author predicts a reshaping of the world order, with the previously dominant civilizations being overtaken by the emergent restructuring of civilizations on the premise of common or shared cultural beliefs and practices among countries. Provided herein is a comprehensive review of Huntington’s The Clash of Civilizations and the Remaking of World Order, appraising and critiquing some of his stances coupled with a personal reflection on the book.
Summary
Huntington begins by making an observation of the global shift from ideological interaction and integration that characterized the pre-Cold War era towards embracing a cultural front in establishing ties and distinctions across the social, political, and economic domains. The author posits, “The most important distinctions among peoples are (no longer) ideological, political, or economic. They are cultural”CITATION Hun96 \p 21 \l 1033 (Huntington, 1996, p. 21). The author argues that the world is shifting from the ideological conflicts of the past, such as the United States Cold War with the USSR to cultural conflicts. Huntington breaks down his arguments into five parts presenting evidence for the perceived inevitable clash of civilizations and the restructuring of the new world order based on cultural affiliations. He starts by breaking down the post-Cold War world order into eight civilizations: Sinic, Japanese, Hindu, Islamic, Orthodox, Western, Latin American, and Africa. The paradigm shift presented by the new civilizations reflects the dwindling influence of Western civilization on global society.
The author then goes ahead to reiterate the fading power and influence of Western civilization in the second part of the book, arguing that though the West still controls key aspects of the global society, it is experiencing a decline in the power and influence it had on affiliated countries. The author states that the West’s decline of power and influence is a slow process that may be reversed or paused by the behavior and decisions of those who are in control of Western civilization. Huntington is quick to note that religion is a key impediment to the power and influence ...