![]() ![]() ![]() Thus, I will localise the analysis of the Clash of Civilizations paradigm within this understanding and I will highlight how Orientalist – and Occidentalist – understandings of the world, both backed by Huntington’s theory, are useful to legitimise radicalism in both the so-called “West” and in the Middle East. Under this critical understanding of world politics, a framework’s usefulness is not based on its accuracy, but on its ability to influence and shape opinions and actions. So as to further this aim, I will contextualise the analysis within the Constructivist paradigm of International Relations, which highlights the co-construction between structure and actor. Accordingly, the second part aims to analyse the contemporary reverberations of the Clash of Civilizations and how it is being used as a convenient lens through which to frame radicalisation. ![]() As stated above, this piece does not aim to discuss the contested scientific accuracy of Huntington’s piece, but only its consequences in contemporary policies and politics. Then, some of its main criticism will be concisely presented with the sole purpose of contextualising the discussions around the theory. In order to do that, this essay is separated into three main parts.įirst, the Clash of Civilizations theory will be briefly introduced and framed as a socio-political paradigm, taking into consideration its background and goals. What this essay aims to do, however, is to understand to which point the Clash of Civilizations framework, albeit ultimately flawed, reductionist, and not grounded on actual social science, still shapes public opinion, influences politics and guides the relations and mutual perceptions between the Middle East and the West. Both of those endeavours have been undertaken to exhaustion in the past two decades and a half. The goal of this essay is not to analyse Huntington’s paradigm in detail nor is it to criticise its many flaws. One point, however, cannot be denied: Huntington’s paradigm is still heavily influential to much of the world politics to this day. A quarter of a century later, much has been discussed about his theory and many criticisms have been put forth. Huntington published his controversial essay on a supposed “Clash of Civilizations” that would take over the world after the end of the Cold War. Over 25 years have gone by since Samuel P. ![]()
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