Revisiting the Clash of Civilisations: A New World Order

Earlier this month, US President Donald Trump issued an apocalyptic warning to Iran’s leaders on Truth Social: Reopen the Strait of Hormuz or else “a whole civilisation will die tonight, never to be brought back again.” This statement might seem like a dramatic escalation, but it also serves as a reminder of the enduring relevance of Samuel Huntington’s The Clash of Civilisations and the Remaking of the World Order, arguably the most influential theoretical framework and thesis in international relations since its publication three decades ago.

The Huntington Thesis

Huntington’s thesis is that future geopolitical conflicts will increasingly be among the world’s major civilisations, defined along cultural, religious, and racial categories. He maintained that “the fault lines between civilisations will be the battle lines of the future.” This idea has been influential, with leaders and public intellectuals in India, Iran, and Turkey emphasising that their countries are ancient, continuous civilisations with a shared consciousness, cultural continuity, and deep-rooted history.

• ▸The concept of civilisation has moved from a singular, 18th-century European “standard of civilisation” to a pluralistic concept, enabling non-Western actors to resist, contest, and challenge the Western liberal order.
• ▸Zhang Weiwei described the rise of China as the “Rise of a Civilisational State”, challenging Western concepts of democracy, good governance, and human rights.
• ▸Vladimir Putin declared Russia a civilisational state, which has since become his leitmotif for proclaiming the end of the liberal international order.

Historical Context and Contemporary Relevance

The idea of civilisations rising and falling is not new. Historian Arnold Toynbee discussed the life cycle of civilisations, suggesting that they rise by successfully responding to challenges but collapse when they fail to adapt creatively to new crises. Toynbee’s insights are relevant for Iran’s leadership and other “civilisation states”, as they face internal and external challenges.

• ▸Toynbee’s concept of the “Universal State” offers temporary peace but cannot prevent the ultimate collapse, a lesson for the US and other dominant powers.
• ▸The main causes of downfall, according to Toynbee, are war between local states and conflict between social classes, patterns that can be observed in the historical narratives of various civilisations.

Implications for India and the World

As the world navigates the complexities of the 21st century, the concept of civilisations and their clashes takes on a new significance. India, with its rich cultural heritage and diverse population, is uniquely positioned to engage with this idea.

• ▸The emphasis on identity and religion has also been evident in US President Trump’s foreign policy, reflecting a broader trend where civilisational identity is becoming a more significant factor in international relations.
• ▸Leaders and public intellectuals in India, Iran, and Turkey have emphasised their countries' ancient, continuous civilisations, highlighting the importance of cultural continuity and deep-rooted history in shaping national identities and foreign policies.

The Rise of Civilisational States

The concept of civilisational states has gained traction, with China, Russia, and other nations embracing this identity. This shift challenges the Western liberal order and raises questions about the future of global governance.

• ▸National Solar Mission and other initiatives reflect India's efforts to balance its economic and environmental goals, showcasing how civilisational states can pursue development while preserving their cultural identities.
• ▸The Kunming-Montreal Framework for biodiversity conservation and the Sendai Framework for DRR demonstrate international cooperation on issues critical to civilisational well-being, indicating that despite differences, nations can work together on shared challenges.

Conclusion and Future Directions

As the world grapples with the implications of the clash of civilisations, it is essential to understand the historical context and contemporary relevance of this concept. The rise of civilisational states, the challenges they face, and the potential for cooperation on global issues all point to a complex and dynamic international landscape.

• ▸The Protection of Human Rights Act 1993 and the Maneka Gandhi Judgment (1978) are examples of how legal frameworks and judicial decisions can shape the discourse on human rights and civilisational values.
• ▸The Nuclear Power Corporation of India and initiatives like PM-KUSUM demonstrate how nations can balance their energy needs with environmental concerns, reflecting the nuanced approach civilisational states must take to sustainable development.