civilizationalism

Civilizationalism is a concept that describes the belief in the existence of distinct, large-scale cultural and civilizational groupings of people, often based on shared history, values, religion, or language. It suggests that these civilizations are fundamental units of human identity and interaction, and that they possess unique characteristics that differentiate them from one another. Proponents of civilizationalism often view these civilizations as enduring entities that shape the world and influence international relations.

The idea of civilizations as primary analytical categories has a long history, but the term "civilizationalism" gained particular prominence in the late 20th and early 21st centuries, notably through the work of Samuel Huntington and his "clash of civilizations" thesis. This thesis posits that future global conflicts will be primarily driven by cultural and religious differences between major civilizations.

Critics argue that civilizationalism can oversimplify complex realities, leading to essentialist views of cultures and potentially fueling intergroup prejudice and conflict. They point out that civilizations are not monolithic and that internal diversity and cross-cultural interactions are significant. Furthermore, the focus on large-scale civilizational blocs can neglect the importance of nation-states and other forms of political and social organization. Nevertheless, the concept continues to be debated and employed in analyses of global politics and cultural dynamics.