Barbarism and Civilization in International Relations

Author: Mark B. Solt
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2004-01-01
Features: Huntington's "Clash of Civilizations" theory has become a classic in the field of international relations. This book analyzes the phenomena of civilization and barbarism in international relations and presents opposing views to Huntington and Kaplan's theories of international relations. Huntington argues that since the collapse of the Cold War, culture has become the axis of conflict between different civilizations. Mark Solt builds upon Huntington's theory, arguing that the latter's perspective essentially views other civilizations as barbarians, and this civilizational realism re-inscribes a colonialist worldview onto the post-Cold War era, being part of the discourse of imperialism. Although many critics remain loyal to Huntington's arguments, few have explored the political implications of the theory. This book provides a powerful explanation of the colonial discourse embedded in contemporary political theory. While examining the utility of cultural and identity concepts in understanding world politics, Solt also highlights the strengths and weaknesses of the civilization/barbarism dichotomy in international relations.