The Clash of Civilizations and the Remaking of World Order Summary

Samuel Huntington argues that after the Cold War, major international divisions would increasingly be based upon civilization, culture, religion and historical identity rather than only upon capitalism, communism or economic interests. He divides the world into broad civilizational groupings, such as Western, Islamic, Sinic or Chinese, Hindu, Orthodox, Japanese and Latin American civilizations. Huntington believes that countries sharing cultural identities may cooperate more closely, while conflicts may occur along civilizational “fault lines.” However, his argument remains highly controversial. Critics maintain that civilizations are not united political actors, that countries within the same civilization frequently fight one another, and that economic interests, nationalism, class, institutions and domestic politics remain extremely important. The book is therefore valuable not because every prediction must be accepted, but because it forces readers to consider how identity and perceptions of cultural difference influence world politics.

1. Huntington argues that the end of the Cold War did not mean the end of global conflict.

1. He believes ideological divisions were being replaced or supplemented by cultural and civilizational divisions.

1. A civilization is presented as the broadest cultural identity shared by large groups of people.

1. Religion, language, history, customs and collective memory contribute to civilizational identity.

1. “Fault-line conflicts” occur where communities belonging to different civilizations come into direct contact.

1. “Core states” are powerful countries that exercise leadership within a civilization.

1. Huntington argues that Western influence may face resistance as non-Western societies become stronger.

1. He advises Western countries not to assume that all Western political and cultural values will automatically become universal.

1. The theory must be treated cautiously because civilizations contain enormous internal diversity and disagreement.

1. Important quotation: “Every civilization sees itself as the center of the world.” The line explains how societies often interpret world history from their own cultural viewpoint and may misunderstand the viewpoints of others.