Samuel P. Huntington

The Profile

Samuel P. Huntington (Samuel Phillips Huntington, 1927–2008) was an American political scientist and Harvard professor, known for works on political order and for his 'Clash of Civilizations' thesis.

Huntington argued that civilizations (e.g., Western, Islamic, Chinese) are long-duration cultural entities shaped by religion, language, demographics and traditions; he authored the essay and book commonly referred to as 'The Clash of Civilizations' in response to Fukuyama's 'The End of History'.

A positive, reflective review that favors Huntington's framework over Fukuyama's optimism. The reviewer finds the book dense and prescient on civilizations, culture, and multipolar trends. The piece urges reading both authors to sharpen critical thinking.