21st century alternative: Clash of civilisations or triumph of the common sense
This paper examines the impact civilisation-based identity may have on the politics of the three global Super Powers: the United States of America, the Russian Federation, and the People’s Republic of China. In the author’s opinion, despite its name the European Union is still insufficiently homogeneous to be considered a single unified force. The three Super Powers, or as Huntington has called them “civilizations,” are based on three distinct value systems, which in turn influence their politics and diplomacy. For each of them, the key political terms, such as the state, leadership, or authority invoke slightly different connotations. Each Super Power perceives their role on the global stage differently as well. Such divergences are discussed by the author in the context of their historical perspectives. The significant changes that the Super Powers underwent in recent decades are also analysed. This paper then presents the detailed historical and cultural context of current world politics with a special emphasis on the sources of potential crisis. The final section of this paper attempts to answer the following question:
Do the conflicts between the Super Powers over resources, territories, or instruments of power arise purely out of politics or to a greater extent from the core differences in the civilisations which underpin them?