Multi-cultural Rivalries in post-Cold War Times: A Critical Discourse Analysis of Huntington’s ‘The Clash of Civilizations and the Remaking of World Order’

Abstract

Discourse not only serves as a way of communication but also propagates ideologies. Whether spoken or written, each discourse comprises certain ideologies. The current study is about exploring ideologies existent in Huntington’s The Clash of Civilizations and The Remaking of World Order (1996) and brings to the surface several ideologies present in the work. Marx and Engels (1970) describe ideology as the group of ideas, perceptions, and consciousness of masses in a world order characterized by class distinction. Qualitative research method and Critical discourse analysis are applied keeping in mind the nature of present study. Critical discourse analysis not only explores the explicit ideologies but also expounds the ways these ideologies are offered by speakers and authors. For analysis of the text, Fairlough’s Three-Dimensional Model (1989, 1992 and 2003) is used as theoretical framework while its second and third approach suggesting ‘discursive features’ and ‘language as social practice’ are given prime significance. Findings of the study reveal that resilient relation between flags and national integrity, sturdy bonds connecting language with nationalism, multifaceted nature of cultural clash, Westernization and its reactionary fundamentalism are some significant ideologies extant in account of Huntington. The study is beneficial for researchers to explore novel ideologies and predictions offered by the author in the times of post-Cold War global geo-political alterations.