Good morning all, Welcome to part 3 of 3. I thought we would stay on the same theme as the past two weeks: Early 1990’s post Cold-War predictions and the human condition. So, do feel free to familiarize yourself with last weeks reading and as always there is fresh Ethiopian Yrgacheffe and Croissants with butter and preserves on the table, so help yourself!
Part 1 An Interview with Prof Francis Fukuyama
Part 2 Jihad Versus McWorld, Prof Benjamin R Barber
Now comes the fun, Prof Samuel Huntingdon’s “A Clash of Civilizations? – The Next Pattern of Conflict” from the Summer 1993 Edition of Foreign Affairs. This was an earth shaking piece when it came out. Huntingdon borrows from the 1990 Atlantic Monthly article from Bernard Lewis “The Roots of Muslim Rage“.
Huntington’s thesis is stated thusly: “It is my hypothesis that the fundamental source of conflict in this new world will not be primarily ideological or primarily economic. The great divisions among humankind and the dominating source of conflict will be cultural. Nation states will remain the most powerful actors in world affairs, but the principal conflicts of global politics will occur between nations and groups of different civilizations. The clash of civilizations will dominate global politics. The fault lines between civilizations will be the battle lines of the future.”
I wont publish the Huntington article here as it is far too long, I invite you to please read it at the above link. “The Roots of Muslim Rage should be read first if you are so inclined. Keep in mind when these were written.
Enjoy yor reading and would someone call one of the late people and have them bring more croissants?
Tags: clash of civilizations, sam huntington, saturday lecture series
