Clash of Civilizations by Samuel P. Huntington
Whenever a war happens, we tend to think, 'Why this war?' 'What's going through the minds of the leaders?' 'Why aren't some cooperating while others aren't? ' and more...
Samuel P. Huntington answers every such question based on how a country's ingrained culture drives its politics, economics, and more in his seminal work 'Clash of Civilizations and the Remaking of the World Order.'
The core of the book is Huntington's classification of the world into six civilizations encompassing nations based on their shared culture. The book justifies its stance on why it is naive to have assumed that the end of the Cold War is the end of the ideological conflict and, as the renowned historian and Huntington's contemporary Francis Fukuyama puts it, the End of History.
Instead, the book, based on an article Huntington published in the Foreign Affairs journal, shows that there will be new types of conflicts based on religion, culture, and other sources of identity that everyone holds dear. He further adds that the identity dynamics and how countries move with them will determine world affairs.
Even though the book was written over 30 years ago, it still provides a starting point for understanding various contemporary global events. With illustrations and real-life examples, Huntington convincingly conveys his points. Topics that were (and continue to be) of interest like West-China and West-Islam relations are dealt with in detail.
Overall, the book provides a great foundation for anyone interested in understanding the reasons behind the actions and behaviour of countries.
+: Detailed Explanation of Theory with apt examples
+: Continued Relevance in Contemporary International Relations
+: Dedicated Chapters on topics of special concern
+: Foundational for anyone with interest in International Affairs
-: Might look slightly outdated
Ratings: 9.6/10
Verdict: A visionary approach toward understanding International Relations
Written with reverence and thought. Crisp, not giving too much away..One for the current day, a fantastic review and pick. Thank you, U ❤
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