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The End of Civilizations and the Remaking of the Last Man

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The End of Civilizations and the Remaking of the Last Man The End of Civilizations and the Remaking of the Last Man: Examining the Ideas of Francis Fukuyama and Samuel P. Huntington in Relation to the Geo-Political Developments of the Post-Cold War. Mark J. W. Poynter A thesis submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Philosophy awarded by De Montfort University July 2013 1 Acknowledgments I would like to thank my supervisors Professor Alasdair Blair and Dr Clodagh Harrington for devoting their time and assistance in overseeing the development of my research project. Their guidance and support has enabled me to confront the challenges of graduate research and negotiate my way through a complex topic. I am especially grateful for their valuable insights and comments which have greatly improved the strength and quality of my research and the positive encouragement which they provided throughout the duration of my study. I would like to thank Dr Simon Featherstone for giving me the opportunity to present a seminar paper in support of my research at the Post-Graduate Conference in June, 2012. His constructive comments and feedback provided me with some valuable suggestions and advice. I would also like to express my gratitude and appreciation to David Sadler who ignited my interest in the study of international relations. I would also like to thank Kenneth Jones and Jim Carver for their inspiring lectures which have sustained my interest in political science over the years. Finally, I would like to thank the Graduate School Office at De Montfort University and all the instructors involved in delivering the Research Development Programmes. Their combined efforts and expertise provided me with a framework of guidance and support which has greatly enhanced my understanding and appreciation of research. 2 Abstract The purpose of this study is to examine the contrasting ideas of Francis Fukuyama’s The End of History (1989) and Samuel P. Huntington’s The Clash of Civilizations (1993). My research will support Fukuyama’s claims that the end of the Cold War marks a triumph for Western ideals and the spread of liberal democracy has produced a lasting order of peace and prosperity. The study will defend the existence of a New World Order and the notion that democracy is a universal concept from which to challenge Huntington's arguments of future conflict among civilizations. I will argue that Huntington’s interpretation of civilizations is too simplistic and fails to acknowledge the extent to which globalization has increased economic interdependence between states. The consequence of interdependence will be examined in relation to the social effects of globalization and the extent to which a universal consumer society is creating a global culture of mass consumption. In arguing that cultural tensions will be reduced by the effects of globalization, I will defend the idea of a liberal peace and the argument that democracies do not fight each other. The study will then address Fukuyama’s concept of the Last Man at the end of the History and the concerns that this raises for stunting social advancement. Future socities will not necessarily degenerate into apathy and nihilism as the Last Man will live in a world governed by market forces and will remain innovative and competitive. Furthermore, individual pursuits for power and prestige will not threaten to undermine the social order as individual endeavour will be constrained to the economic sphere and will seldom extend to political or military ambitions. The study will conclude that the spread of liberal democracy and free market capitalism can secure a sustainable New World Order. Huntington’s Clash of Civilizations will not occur due to increased economic interdependence and a culture of mass consumption. The study will argue that the intensification of national sentiments and a revival in fundamentalism will not necessarily lead to a full blown clash of civilizations. While antagonisms will still exist, these conflicts will be unable to produce a dialectical opposition capable of undermining the global balance of power. Therefore, the strength of opposition to global capitalism will be ineffective in preventing the spread of a consumer culture and civilizations will exist as benign entities within an increasingly globalized world. 3 Table of Contents Acknowledgements .............................................................................................................................. 2 Abstract ................................................................................................................................................ 3 Abbreviations ....................................................................................................................................... 6 1. Introduction 1.1. Background and Context ............................................................................................................... 8 1.2. Aims and Objectives ..................................................................................................................... 9 1.3. Methodology and Approach ........................................................................................................ 11 1.4. Argument and Observations ........................................................................................................ 17 1.5. Conclusion ................................................................................................................................... 20 2. Literature Review 2.1. Introduction ................................................................................................................................. 22 2.2. In Defense of Realism ................................................................................................................. 23 2.3. Structural Realism and Power Politics ........................................................................................ 26 2.4. Defending the Liberal Peace ....................................................................................................... 28 2.5. The Effects of Globalization ....................................................................................................... 32 2.6. The Last Man .............................................................................................................................. 36 2.7. Conclusion ................................................................................................................................... 39 3. The New World Order 3.1. Introduction ................................................................................................................................. 42 3.2. The End of History? .................................................................................................................... 43 3.3. The New World Order ................................................................................................................. 48 3.4. The Unipolar Moment ................................................................................................................. 51 3.5. Towards a Trans-governmental Order ........................................................................................ 56 3.6. Conclusion ................................................................................................................................... 59 4. The Liberal Peace (Revisited) 4.1. Introduction ................................................................................................................................. 61 4.2. The Realist Challenge to the Liberal Peace ................................................................................. 62 4.3. Angell and the Liberal Peace....................................................................................................... 66 4.4. Hegemony and Economic Interdependence ................................................................................ 71 4.5. Conclusion ................................................................................................................................... 74 4 5. The Clash of Civilizations 5.1. Introduction ................................................................................................................................. 76 5.2. Fault Lines of Future Conflict ..................................................................................................... 77 5.3. The West versus the Rest ............................................................................................................ 81 5.4. Rejecting a Universal Civilization .............................................................................................. 84 5.5. Conclusion ................................................................................................................................... 88 6. Global Consumer Culture 6.1. Introduction ................................................................................................................................. 91 6.2. Global Culture in Context ........................................................................................................... 92 6.3. Global Culture versus Cultural Identity ...................................................................................... 95 6.4. The Homogenous Society ........................................................................................................... 99 6.5. Conclusion ................................................................................................................................
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