[5.3] Religion and the 'clash of civilisations'

Question 1

How has religion been at the centre of global conflicts in the last few years?

Answer 1

The 9/11 attacks, and bombings in Madrid, Bali and London.

Question 2

How does Huntington (1993) see these conflicts?

Answer 2

As a clash of civilisations.

Question 3

What are the seven civilisations Huntington (1993) identifies?

Answer 3

Western, Latin American, Confucian, Japanese, Islamic, Hindu and Slavic-Orthodox.

Question 4

What does shared religion create within a civilisation?

Answer 4

Social cohesion and order.

Question 5

What can religion cause between civilisations?

Answer 5

Conflict.

Question 6

How are religious differences now a major source of identity?

Answer 6

Political differences are now less apparent, so religion takes this role.
Globalisation has made nation-states less significant as a source of identity.
Globalisation makes conflict easier as there is more communication between civilisations.

Question 7

Why does Huntington (1993) see religious differences as harder to resolve than political ones?

Answer 7

Because religion is deeply rooted in culture and history.

Question 8

How does Huntington (1993) see history?

Answer 8

As a struggle of progress against barbarism.

Question 9

Criticise Huntington’s clash of civilisation in three points.

Answer 9

1. Jackson (2006) sees his work as orientalism, stereotyping Eastern nations as untrustworthy.
2. Casanova (2005) argues he ignores differences within civilisations such as the division of Sunni and Shia Muslims.
3. Horrie and Chippindale (2003) argue that Huntington portrays all of Islam in a negative light, when a very tiny proportion actually want war.