Πολιτική και «σύγκρουση των πολιτισμών». Το επιχείρημα τον S. Huntington για τη μοναδικότητα του δυτικού πολιτισμού και την απίσχνανση του οικουμενικού χαρακτήρα της νεωτερικότητας

Abstract

This article undertakes a critical reconstruction of S. Huntington’s argument and his key viewpoint that clashes in the future will not take place on the political level, but rather be caused by serious cultural conflicts. Huntington suggests that western civilization is in danger, threatened by foreign cultures which are hostile towards it. After stating Huntington’s key viewpoints and his argument’s main lines, the article criticizes the conceptual and methodological structure of this argument in order to demonstrate Huntington’s reasons for juxtaposing modernity’s universal character and value system to western civilization’s uniqueness. This may lead to ruling out the values of toleration and coexistence in favor of the need of preserving the immiscible attributes of western civilization that is being threatened by various cultural types, against which it ought to prevail, if it is to maintain its dominance.