The clash of civilizations in Ukraine Cover Image

The clash of civilizations in Ukraine
The clash of civilizations in Ukraine

Author(s): Paweł Ukielski
Subject(s): Peace and Conflict Studies, Russian Aggression against Ukraine, Russian war against Ukraine
Published by: Instytut Europy Środkowej
Keywords: Russian-Ukrainian war; civilisations; Russia; Ukraine; Ruthenia (Rus);

Summary/Abstract: This article analyses the war between the Russian Federation and Ukraine in the light of Huntington’s theory of the clash of civilisations. In his text, Huntington stated, “If civilization is what counts, however, the likelihood of violence between Ukrainians and Russians should be low”. After the fullscale aggression of Russia against Ukraine, it is clearly visible that Huntington was completely wrong. This does not, however, falsify Huntington’s entire concept, which nevertheless requires modification in the form of a new delimitation and naming of civilisations – there is no “Slavic-Orthodox civilisation”, but rather a “Eurasian civilisation”. These corrections, based on Oskar Halecki’s research, lead to the conclusion that Huntington’s theory is applicable in the case of the Russia-Ukraine war, with Ukraine being a Huntingtonian “torn country” that has decided to finally leave the Eurasian civilisation, while Russia is trying to prevent it.

  • Issue Year: 21/2023
  • Issue No: 1
  • Page Range: 41-58
  • Page Count: 18
  • Language: English
Toggle Accessibility Mode