(no subject)
Michael J. Lang (mjlang@mail.utexas.edu)
Tue, 02 Feb 1999 21:38:51 -0600
The end of the Cold War brought an end to what became labeled as the "Great
Peace." During this time many of the small cultural, territorial battles
which had been going on for centuries were put on hold while the US and the
USSR divided the world. Now that the Cold War is over, the future of world
conflict will not be the struggle between capitalism and communism, the
question now is what will be the cause of conflicts in the future?
In "The Clash of Civilizations?" S.P. Huntington argues that the worlds
conflicts will be along "cultural fault lines" caused by the colliding of
different cultures. He argues that these conflicts will occur because the
differences between cultures are too great and the beliefs held by these
cultures are too strong and deep to be compromised. He also states that the
world becoming a smaller place, and with this, these differing views will
inevitably come into more contact with each other resulting in conflict.
Edward Said's response to Huntington's arguments would be one of optimistic
disagreement.
Both Said and Huntington would agree that cultural differences are not only
real but a factor in the future of human interaction. Huntington states
that "real differences in such basics as history, language, culture,
tradition, and religion exist." Said would agree. He states the "no one
can deny the persisting continuities of long traditions, sustained
habitations, national languages, and cultural geographies." Different
cultures and civilizations view differently the relationship between man and
god, man and woman, husband and wife, the relationship between the citizen
and the state, liberty and authority, and equality and hierarchy.
Huntington argues that these cultural differences are the products of
centuries. They are more fundamental than differences among political
ideologies and political regimes, and as a result the world will divide on
these cultural differences. Said believes that these are merely obstacles
that can be overcome. He argues that "just as human beings make their own
history, they also make their own cultures and ethnic identities" and "
there is no reason except fear and prejudice to keep insisting on their
separations and destructiveness, as if that was all human life was about."
Said gives more credit to people as human beings than to attribute the cause
of modern and future conflicts soley to cultural differences. "No one today
is purely one thing. Labels like Indian, woman, Muslim, or American are no
more than starting points, which if followed into actual experience for only
a moment are quickly left behind."
Huntington argues that the world becoming smaller is a cause of clashes.
"Interactions intensify civilizations consciousness and awareness of
differences between civilizations and commalities within civilizations.
Said would argue that this is not necessarily bad. Increased interactions
and intensifying civilization consciousness and awareness of differences
between civilizations will lead to understanding of other culture. The
problem arises with bias, unsubstantiated media portrayals which people use
to form the basis for how they perceive a culture they know nothing about.
The idea behind desegregation and diversification in the United States is
that through increased interactions and shared experiences we as human
beings can look past physical differences and racial/ cultural stereotypes
and find a commonality as Americans and human beings. One can only be
viewed as equal if one is first viewed as human. This follows Said's
reasoning. The more civilizations interact allows different civilizations
to experience and learn about one another ultimately leading to
understanding and respect for each individual's cultural differences.
Said would argue that the problem is not when differing cultures or
civilizations interact but when one culture believes they are superior and
attempts to impose their values and beliefs on what they perceive as an
inferior culture/ civilization.
Huntington suggests two ways in which the West can go about dealing with the
cultural differences and the inevitable interactions between these differing
civilizations. First he suggests a short-term measure in which he claims,
"it is in the interest of the West to prevent escalation of local
inter-civilization wars; to limit the expansion of the military strength of
Confucian and Islamic states; to moderate the reduction of Western military
capabilities and maintain military superiority in East and Southwest Asia;
to exploit differences and conflicts among Confucian and Islamic states; to
support in other civilizations groups sympathetic to Western values and
interests; to strengthen international institutions that reflect and
legitimate Western interests and values and to promote the involvement of
non-Western states in those institutions." Said would take issue with this
suggestion. He would argue that this not only reinforces imperialism, but
is cultural racism, which is the larger cause of conflict than cultural
differences.
Said sees the West, especially the United States, as imperialist imposing
their views on other cultures but only when it benefits them or is in their
best interest. Independence is to be wished for others so long as it is the
kind of independence we (Americans) approve of. Anything else is
unacceptable, and worse, unthinkable. The West makes decisions of who is
good and bad. Judging everyone by US standards and projecting judgement,
criticism world wide in comparison to Western values. The US proclaims the
right to dictate other countries political and economic systems as well as
nations military capabilities all in the name of "freedom" and "justice."
Freedom and justice so long as it is in the best interest of, and does not
conflict with the interests and goals of the US or the Western world.
Huntington proposes a long-term measure in which the West is to accommodate
other cultures and search for commonalities. This is what Said believes
should be done. He would argue that only through mutual understanding and
respect of other cultures rights, values, beliefs and acceptance as equals
can we move beyond the cultural differences. It is this attempt to force
Western values on these other cultures and civilizations that leads to this
turn inward to embrace the indigenous cultural values and resent/ reject the
intruding values, beliefs, and presence of the West.