The Clash of Civilizations

The Clash of Civilizations Samuel P. Huntington • Work Presented by: • Patricia Quintino Nº 21167 • Petr Makovsky Nº 25335 • Peter Panholzer Nº 25333 • Ieong Chi Kun, Christine Nº 25246 • Fernando Piton Nº 25273

“It is my hypothesis that the fundamental source of conflict in this new world will not be primarily ideological or primarily economic.” Samuel P. Huntington

Main Agenda Clash of Civilizations 7 Main Civilizations Modernization vs Westernization West vs the Rest Conclusion

Civilizations Civilization Civilization is a cultural entity defined by objective elements such as: language, history, religion….

Clash of Civilizations Clash of Civilization a clash of cultural spheres within a single global civilization

Why civilizations will clash? • Differences among civilizations are real and basic: history, language, culture, tradition & RELIGION product of centuries • The world is becoming smaller

Why civilizations will clash? • Economic modernization & social change throughout the world • Dual Role of the West ↑ Civilization-consciousness Non-Wests  tend to shape the world in non-Western ways

Why civilization will clash? • Cultural characteristics & differences  less mutable; Political & economic issues  can be compromised & resolved • Increase in economic regionalism: Successful regionalism  reinforce civilization consciousness; Economic regionalism  succeed only in a common civilization

Two levels for Clash of Civilization Clash of Civilization occurs at two levels: • Micro-level – struggle over the control of territory and each other • Macro-level – promote particular political & religious values.

Kin-Country Syndrome • World of civilization => World of double standards One standard to kin-countries & different one to others • Conflicts & Violence within same civilization  less intense & less likely to expand

Main Civilizations • The 7 main civilizations are: • Latin America • Confucian • Japanese • Islamic  Hindu  Slavic - Orthodox  Western

Main Civilizations • Japanese: Shintoism religion, not open-minded • Islamic: with human and universal dimensions, very generous • Confucian: introspective, self-conscious, and intuition; feel at ease in poverty and find their delight in the pursuit of the Way

Main Civilizations • Hindu: Composed of diverse doctrines, cults, and ways of life. • Slavic/Orthodox: Eastern and Central Europe and the Balkans; Follow Mostly the orthodox and catholic churches • Latin American: Are the latin speaking countries in America; Mainly Roman Catholic

Western Civilization Modernization v.s., and, or Westernization? The classical legacy Western Christianity European language Separation of spiritual and temporary authority Rule of law Representative bodies individualism

Modernization v.s. Westernization? WHY doesn´t Modernization and technical development require Westernization? • Individual level • Societal level

Temporal Westernization Western valuesused by the government only until they are powerful enough to denounce them as human rights imperialism. • “second generation indigenization” • democracy paradox

Future tendencies • As all politics is local politics, all power is local power • from the warren state phase to a universal state phase: held together by a compound of federations, confederations, and international regimes

The West versus the Rest The West in effect is using international institutions, military power and economic resources to run the world in ways that will maintain Western predominance, protect Western interests and promote Western political and economic values. "the values that are most important in the West are least important worldwide."

The West versus the Rest Responses to the west: • Non-Westernstates course of isolation • Join the west and accept it institutions and values • attempt to "balance" the West by developing economic and military power and cooperating with other non-Western societies against the West

Conflicts arised by Civilizations TORN COUTRIES Some countries have a fair degree of cultural homogeneity but are divided over whether theirsociety belongs to one civilization or another. Leaders pursue a bandwagoning strategy but the history, culture and traditions of their countries are non-Western. Typical torn countries are: Turkey, Mexico, Russia

Why the Author wrote the Article We suppose that Huntington wrote this article because of the diverse thinking about the nature of global culture and because of his past working as the director of the Center for International Affairs.

Conclusion • Differences between civilizations are real and important and civilization-conscious is increasing; • Conflicts between civilizations will supplant ideological conflicts; • Western civilization is powerful and has the majority, while the non-western civilizations, tend to modernize theirs, trying to maintain there culture and values.

Conclusion Implication for the Western policy: short term advantage & long term accommodation

Conclusion Short term advantage: • cooperation and unity • cooperative relations with Russia & Japan • local inter-civilization conflicts • limit the military strength and conflicts of Confucian & Islamic states • military capabilities & superiority • strengthen international institutions that reflect and legitimate Western interests & values

Conclusion Long term accommodation: • maintain economic & military power • Understand other civilizations’ religious & philosophical assumptions • identify elements of commonality between Western & other civilizations

Bibliography: • http://www.isesco.org.ma/pub/ISTD/Eng/20/P2.htm • http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ethnic_issues_in_Japan • http://www.crvp.org/book/Series03/III-14/chapter_i.htm • http://www.religioustolerance.org/confuciu.htm

Class Discusion Do you agree with the thesis?

Class Discusion Do you think that these thesis are up-to-date?

Class Discusion Do you think that the 9/11 was caused by a clash of civilizations?

The Clash of Civilizations