Sectarian Violence
These days’ people immediately think of the country of Iraq when they hear the words sectarian violence or cultural conflict. Many of these individuals would be surprised to find that sectarian violence exist all over the world. Just hours ago a clash in southern Kyrgyzstan between Kyrgyz and Uzbek people claimed 26 lives in less than 24 hours. Buildings were set on fire and many individuals were treated for stab and gunshot wounds. It is unknown what caused this recent clash, but it is known that it was culturally motivated. (“Sectarian Violence,” 2010) Also in the news this hour is the reporting of sectarian violence in Karachi, Pakistan that has increased a recent death toll to 5 in the just the last 15 days. (Raza, 2010) Cultural conflict is not just centralized in one location, it can be found all over the world. Samuel P. Huntington, a professor of International Studies and former chairman of the Harvard Academy for International and Area Studies, produced an essay called “The Clash of Civilizations?” detailing his theory that the end of history will come about through cultural conflict instead of an economic or ideological reason. (Huntington, 1993) Looking at the news for the last seven hours would lead a lot of individuals that Huntington’s theory is right on track.
Discussion:
Sam Huntington’s “hypothes is 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 be the battle lines of the future.” (Huntington, 1993) Many indivudauls may agree with Huntington, especially after reading the book entitled The Iraq Papers. This book states that sectarian violence causes the largest
Discussion:
Sam Huntington’s “hypothes is 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 be the battle lines of the future.” (Huntington, 1993) Many indivudauls may agree with Huntington, especially after reading the book entitled The Iraq Papers. This book states that sectarian violence causes the largest
References: Ehrenberg, J., McSherry, J., Sanchez, J., & Sayej C. (2010). The Iraq papers. New York: Oxford University Press. Fox, J. (2002) Ethnic minorities and the clash of civilizations: A quantitative analysis of Huntington 's thesis. British Journal of Political Science, 32(3):415-435. Graham, J. (2004). Samuel P. Huntington’s Clash of Civilizations (Part 2). Retrieved on June 11, 2010 from http://www.historyorb.com/world/clashofcivilisations.shtml. Huntington, S. (1993). The clash of civilizations?. Retrieved on June 6, 2010 from http://history.club.fatih.edu.tr/103%20Huntington%20Clash%20of%20Civilizations%20full%20text.htm. Raza, A. (2010). Targeted killings turn into sectarian violence. Retrieved on June 11, 2010 from http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2010%5C06%5C10%5Cstory_10-6-2010_pg12_2. Sectarian Violence. (2010) Sectarian Violence Claims More Kyrgyz Lives. Retrieved on June 11, 2010 from http://www.morningstaronline.co.uk/index.php/news/content/view/full/91462.