How Relevant Is the Debate Between Huntington and Said to Understanding the Contemporary Examples of Terrorism, State and Non-State?
How relevant is the debate between Huntington and Said to understanding the contemporary examples of terrorism, state and non-state?
Samuel P. Huntington formulated a theory named, ‘The Clash of Civilizations’, which was published in Foreign Affairs, summer 1993.[1] His theory was based on the changing source of conflict in global politics. Huntington believed that the reason for significant conflict would no longer stem from ideological or economic origins; it would be due to cultural conflict.[2] Civilizations – an advanced state of social development- vary from each other by factors including language, tradition, culture, history and most importantly in this case, religion. The diversities of each civilization are now the basis for conflict, Huntington argues. The clash of civilizations formulated widespread opinion and criticism from public figures and elites. One such individual who refuted Huntington’s Clash of Civilization theory was Professor Edward Said. The debate began with Said’s October 22, 2001 article published in The Nation, The Clash of Ignorance.[3] This article was a direct response to Huntington’s theory. Professor Said argued The Clash of Civilizations oversimplified the explanation of global conflict between nations. However with current examples of terrorism and political unrest occurring prior to the publication of The Clash of Civilizations in 1993, the relevancy of such theories can now be discussed in 2010.
Discussing the relevance of The Clash of Civilizations does not need to be brought forward to 2010 for analysis. September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks were by far the most significant single event after the Cold War. It was here in which America’s foreign policy was brought to attention and particular its policy towards the perpetrators who originated from the Middle East. The world’s superpower, in the United States was proven it too could not escape the forces of the current international situation. Interestingly, preceding the
Samuel P. Huntington formulated a theory named, ‘The Clash of Civilizations’, which was published in Foreign Affairs, summer 1993.[1] His theory was based on the changing source of conflict in global politics. Huntington believed that the reason for significant conflict would no longer stem from ideological or economic origins; it would be due to cultural conflict.[2] Civilizations – an advanced state of social development- vary from each other by factors including language, tradition, culture, history and most importantly in this case, religion. The diversities of each civilization are now the basis for conflict, Huntington argues. The clash of civilizations formulated widespread opinion and criticism from public figures and elites. One such individual who refuted Huntington’s Clash of Civilization theory was Professor Edward Said. The debate began with Said’s October 22, 2001 article published in The Nation, The Clash of Ignorance.[3] This article was a direct response to Huntington’s theory. Professor Said argued The Clash of Civilizations oversimplified the explanation of global conflict between nations. However with current examples of terrorism and political unrest occurring prior to the publication of The Clash of Civilizations in 1993, the relevancy of such theories can now be discussed in 2010.
Discussing the relevance of The Clash of Civilizations does not need to be brought forward to 2010 for analysis. September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks were by far the most significant single event after the Cold War. It was here in which America’s foreign policy was brought to attention and particular its policy towards the perpetrators who originated from the Middle East. The world’s superpower, in the United States was proven it too could not escape the forces of the current international situation. Interestingly, preceding the