The development of society has been a topic of discussion for many researchers for a long time. On this topic, such researchers as Francis Fukuyama and Bernard Barber. Of particular importance for the development of this idea was the work of Samuel Huntington, which was called “Clash of civilization.” In this article, the author raises the question that the driving force for the development of politics in the world is culture. In response to this statement, Edward Said released his work “The clash of ignorance,” which refutes the researcher’s belief. Moreover, it provides a valuable lens through which to understand political violence in the Post-Cold War era.
First of all, it is necessary to consider the proposals and concepts that were presented by Samuel Huntington in “Clash of civilizations.” Thus, the basis for the emergence of conflicts in the political arena and political violence the author saw in the confrontation between Islam and the West (Said, 2001, para. 1). Moreover, the central theme of the work was to provide an updated understanding of what the future is facing modern civilization. Hence, he noted that “the clash of civilizations will dominate global politics. The fault lines between civilizations will be the battle lines of the future” (Said, 2001, para. 2). From these words, it follows that there are only two central cultural identities.
Unlike Harrington, Barber and Fukuyama held different worldviews. Therefore, Barber focused on the concept of trusting relationships among nations (Barber, 1983). The thinker noted that people commit acts with good intentions. Moreover, it is not their intention to harm other individuals. Fukuyama, in turn, considered the issue of ending human history and focusing on other aspects more critical for modern society. Economic development stood out among them, and the cause of the final evolutionary process will be the formation of liberal democracy in all countries (Fukuyama, 2021). Thus, with the formation of this regime, individuals will forget about all their confrontations and will pay attention to technological advancements and environmental concerns.
Particular emphasis should be given to how Huntington explained the political violence that became most evident in the post-cold war period. The following argument is that the West needs to take measures that will contribute to the suppression of other cultures, especially Islam. In this way, Huntington did provide a point of view that separates cultural identities and civilizations, making them separate entities. Often, adhering to the theory proposed by the author, individuals justified the events that took place in New York in 2001. A terrorist attack by blowing up the Gemini Tower is seen as the very confrontation between the West and Islam. Thus, it was believed that it was the ideas of Islam, their sense of superiority, and their desire to overcome the West that caused the actions of a terrorist organization that led to the death of many innocent people.
Further, in his article “The clash of ignorance,” Said provides a rebuttal, emphasizing the dubious nature of the arguments of the Huntington theory. Thus, in this process, the author emphasizes that this point of view does not take into account historical features and development, which is valuable for understanding the background of cultures. Said underlines “that it defies such reductiveness and have seeped from one territory into another, in the process overriding the boundaries that are supposed to separate us all into divided armed camps” (Said, 2001, para. 7). Taking into account the historical component is an essential justification for many events and actions of nations.
Huntington’s attempt to divide and impose labels on Western, Islamic, and other cultures stands out in particular. Said defines this as an incorrect worldview due to the fact that in modern realities, cultures are in displacement and interaction, and that the article of the thinker is purely Western is now fundamentally wrong. Said talks about “primitive know-how to converge that give the lie to a fortified boundary not only between “West” and “Islam” but also between past and present, them and us to say nothing of the very concepts of identity and nationality” (Said, 2001, para. 8).
Moreover, the author notes that the desire for absolutism, the use of people for political agenda is typical not only for the purely Islamic religion and culture but also for everyone else. Another reason for refuting Harrington’s vision is the widespread Islamic culture outside the territories of the origin of religion, including the West and Europe (). Therefore, the article “the clash of ignorance” emphasizes the impossibility of separating cultural and religious entities, which was proclaimed in Harrington’s theory.
In conclusion, this work considered the article by Said, “The clash of ignorance,” and its difference from the theories presented by Harrington, Fukuyama, and Barber. Thus, in his work, the author mainly concentrates on the Harrington article, in which the researcher proclaims a distinctive division between the West and Islam. He believes that the main political events are caused by the confrontation of these cultures. Said, in turn, refutes this worldview, emphasizing the importance of the historical background and the mixing of these entities in the course of history and interactions. Thus, the point of view proposed by Edward Said about cultures and identity is more productive in explaining the Post-Cold War era of political violence.
References
Barber, B. (1983). The logic and limits of trust. Rutgers University Press.
Fukuyama, F. (2021). After the End of History: Conversations with Francis Fukuyama. Georgetown University Press.
Said, E. W. (2001). The clash of ignorance. The Nation. Web.