Critique of the "Clash of Civilizations" Thesis by Samuel Huntington

The thesis of Clash of Civilizations, formulated by the American thinker Samuel Huntington at the end of the 20th century specifically in 1993, is considered one of the most controversial theories in the field of global politics after the Cold War. Huntington predicted that future conflicts would not be ideological or economic, but rather civilizational in nature. He also asserted that the fault lines between civilizations, especially between Western and Islamic civilizations, would be the hotspots of tension and conflict in the 21st century. Like other intellectual theses, it has been subjected to critique, with different opinions divided into supporters and opponents. However, the negative criticisms outweigh the supportive arguments and hence oversimplified international relations and divided the world into distinctly conflicting civilizations, particularly in relation to Islamic civilization, while ignoring the real causes of conflict, which are primarily economic and political. Moreover, it fuels divisive rhetoric and increases the likelihood of clashes between cultures and civilizations, despite the contemporary reality being based on interdependence and cooperation among peoples. Additionally, the thesis overlooks the overwhelming diversity within each civilization and fails to address internal conflicts, such as sectarian and political struggles, that exist within a single civilization.