Civilizationalists

Civilizationalists are individuals or groups who view the world primarily through the lens of distinct civilizations. This perspective posits that human societies can be categorized into broad, overarching cultural and historical entities, such as Western civilization, Islamic civilization, Chinese civilization, and so on. These civilizations are typically understood as having unique characteristics, values, and historical trajectories that shape their interactions and potential conflicts.

The concept of civilization as a primary unit of analysis in international relations and social theory gained prominence in the late 20th century, notably through the work of Samuel P. Huntington. Huntington's "Clash of Civilizations" thesis argued that future global conflicts would largely be fought along the lines of these civilizational boundaries, rather than ideological or economic ones. This viewpoint suggests that cultural and religious differences are more fundamental and enduring than political or economic alignments.

Critics of the civilizationalist perspective often point to the internal diversity within civilizations, the fluidity of cultural boundaries, and the existence of forces that transcend civilizational divides, such as globalization and shared economic interests. They argue that overemphasizing civilizational identity can lead to essentialism, stereotyping, and the exacerbation of intergroup tensions. Despite these criticisms, the idea of civilizational blocs continues to influence discussions on geopolitics and cultural identity.