In the present era, global civilizations are intricately interconnected, binding the destinies of people worldwide. While the international community emphasizes inclusivity and joint development, the outdated notion of a “clash of civilizations” theory has lingered, suggesting that principal conflicts would arise between nations and groups of different civilizations. This theory, popularized by Harvard political scientist Samuel Huntington, comes with three key features: conflicts stemming from cultural differences, the fundamentality of these differences, and an increased likelihood of conflicts due to economic globalization.
However, this theory stands on shaky ground, rooted in a Western-centric view that envisions a clash between different civilizations. The international academic community has openly expressed doubts about this perspective, questioning its one-sided emphasis on conflict and antagonism while overlooking the increasing global exchanges and integrated interests facilitated by economic globalization and communication modernization.
With the end of the Cold War, international relations are no longer confined to the study and interpretation of a single event or delimited by ideology, and more attention is being paid to global trends. While new ideas and theories are emerging to guide the world in the right direction, certain people are working their fingers to the bone to label some countries as opponents and rivals of the United States, which, incidentally, seeks unipolar domination.
It is in this context that Harvard political scientist Samuel Huntington developed the “clash of civilizations” theory, which has three main characteristic features. First, in the new era, the leading cause of human disputes and conflicts will be the difference between civilizations and cultures. Second, the differences between civilizations and cultures are not only real but also fundamental. And third, economic globalization and regionalization have prompted civilizations to play a greater role in international relations and increased the possibility of conflicts among civilizations.
The different views on inter-civilization relations reflect Huntington’s personal global view and civilizational views. According to Huntington, the non-Western challenge to the West at the peak of power is growing, and the probability of a “clash of civilizations” has greatly increased, concluding that the major global conflicts in the future will be between countries and groups with different civilizational backgrounds. “In this new world the most pervasive, important, and dangerous conflicts will not be between social classes, rich and poor, or other economically defined groups, but between peoples belonging to different cultural entities,” Huntington claimed.
Based on a fallacious assumption, Huntington emphasized that the main line of political conflicts in the post-Cold War world would be “clash of civilizations”, a claim that is far removed from constructive theory and policy practice.
The “clash of civilizations” theory lacks credibility, as it fails to provide answers to critical questions about global challenges, the role of economic globalization, and the collaborative approach countries should adopt. Moreover, this theory has been exploited to serve the strategic interests of Western powers, leading to an attempt to contain the development of emerging economies like China.
With over 200 countries, diverse ethnic groups, and various religions globally, civilization inherently embodies diversity. The key is to embrace this diversity, promoting civilizational concepts rooted in equality, mutual learning, dialogue, and inclusiveness. Countries should respect each other’s differences, political systems, and draw strength from one another for mutual development.
In line with this perspective, China proposed the Global Civilization Initiative (GCI) in March 2023, emphasizing the respect for diversity, the importance of inheriting and innovating civilizations, and promoting global exchanges and cooperation. The GCI advocates for inclusive coexistence, mutual learning, and people-to-people exchanges among different civilizations, countering the outdated “clash of civilizations” theory.
As nations strive for global peace and development, the focus should be on strengthening civilizations, fostering international cooperation, and establishing innovative measures for a global network of dialogue and cooperation among civilizations. By breaking down spiritual barriers hindering human exchanges, countries can work together to ensure the harmonious coexistence and continuous progress of civilizations toward a brighter future.
