The posed question deals with the investigation of the use of Huntington’s myth ‘there is a clash of civilizations’ in the discourses referring to the horrible events on September 11. Hence, several different questions have to be answered, as they are: How does Huntington himself link his myth to the ‘war against terrorism’? Which parts of Huntington’s myth are used in which way and by whom? Do the users of his myth support or neglect Huntington’s original thoughts and do they exert their source deliberately or unconsciously? What do the users of Huntington’s myth and Huntington himself fail to mention, which is necessary to let the theories function? And eventually, which theory after all is the one most fitting the facts?
Answering the questions, I will argue that the myth is used over the whole discourse, concerning September 11. Interestingly, parts of Huntington’s myth are both employed by proponents and opponents of Huntington, sometimes even without recognising it. Instead of speaking of different discourses, one should more precisely say that there is only one huge discourse with different outgrowths and directions. The various arguments are closely linked. Sometimes even opponents use Huntington as their basis in different ways. Therefore, none of the posed arguments – as Huntington’s myth itself – can function and be persuasive on its own. It will be argued that, what causes the clash is not just difference – as Huntington suggests – but the vain attempt to create equality. This is the basis for all arguments with regard to September 11. However, if creating equality is the cause of the terrorist attack, it is neither the existence of different cultures, the powerful behaviour of the US nor the violent roots within the Muslim world which can account for the reason of the terrorist attacks. It is in fact the process of globalisation and the consequential disappearance of cultural power which causes the actual problem.
Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)
- Introduction
- The discourse on the 'war against terrorism' and the 'clash of civilizations'
- Conclusion
Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)
This text examines the use of Samuel Huntington's "clash of civilizations" myth in the discourse surrounding the September 11th attacks. It investigates how Huntington's ideas are employed by both supporters and opponents of his theory, analyzing the different interpretations and their implications. The text also delves into the underlying causes of the "clash," arguing that it stems not from cultural differences but from the attempt to create equality in a globalized world.
- The use of Huntington's "clash of civilizations" myth in post-September 11 discourse
- The different interpretations of Huntington's myth by supporters and opponents
- The role of globalization in the emergence of the "clash"
- The limitations of Huntington's theory in explaining the September 11th attacks
- The importance of understanding the internal dynamics and plurality of civilizations
Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)
- Introduction: This chapter introduces the central question of the text: how is Huntington's myth utilized in the discourse surrounding the "war against terrorism" following September 11th? It outlines key questions to be addressed, including the different interpretations of Huntington's theory and the underlying causes of the "clash."
- The discourse on the 'war against terrorism' and the 'clash of civilizations': This chapter analyzes how Huntington's myth is invoked in the immediate aftermath of the September 11th attacks. It explores the perspectives of both proponents and opponents of Huntington's theory, highlighting how his ideas are employed to explain the events and propose solutions. The chapter also examines the limitations of Huntington's approach and introduces the concept of globalization as a key factor contributing to the "clash."
Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)
The text focuses on the "clash of civilizations" theory, post-September 11 discourse, globalization, cultural differences, equality, and the "war against terrorism." It examines the different interpretations and implications of Huntington's theory and analyzes the underlying causes of the "clash" in relation to the events of September 11th.
- Arbeit zitieren
- Anne Uhlhaas (Autor:in), 2002, How is Huntington's myth there is a clash of civilizations used in the post-September 11 discourse on the war against terrorism?, München, GRIN Verlag, https://www.hausarbeiten.de/document/11520
