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SMOKERS’ CORNER: THE RISE OF CIVILISATIONAL STATES
🇵🇰 Pakistan /Culture & Society

SMOKERS’ CORNER: THE RISE OF CIVILISATIONAL STATES

From Dawn · () English

Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

Analysis Sources not specified Context piece
  • The concept of the 'civilisational state' is gaining prominence in international politics, reflecting Samuel Huntington's 1996 thesis.
  • Political theorist Christopher Coker noted in 2019 that culture, not ideology, is now the primary driver of global conflicts.
  • This shift suggests a move away from ideological divides towards cultural and civilizational alignments in international relations.

The idea of the 'civilisational state' is experiencing a resurgence, echoing the arguments made by political scientist Samuel Huntington in his influential 1996 book, 'The Clash of Civilisations.' Huntington controversially posited that culture, rather than ideology, would shape post-Cold War conflicts.

More recently, British political theorist Christopher Coker observed in 2019 that the contemporary global landscape provides real-world evidence for Huntington's core thesis. Coker argued that culture has supplanted ideology as the main currency in international politics, driving contemporary conflicts and alliances.

This growing emphasis on 'civilisational states' suggests a fundamental shift in global dynamics. It implies that nations are increasingly aligning based on shared cultural and historical identities, potentially leading to new geopolitical fault lines distinct from the ideological battles of the past.

culture, rather than ideology, has become the primary currency of international politics.

— Christopher CokerThe British political theorist's observation on the drivers of international relations.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Dawn. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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