As the world experiences a new round of transformation, including reform and setbacks in politics and breakthroughs in new technology, there has also been a rise in anti-globalization, trade protectionism and unilateralism. 

With the rise of populism, Samuel Huntington's theory of the “clash of civilizations” has once again caused extensive discussion in the academic world. Huntington famously hypothesized that cultural and religious identities will be the primary source of conflict in the post-Cold War world.

'We believe in multilateralism'

"I don't believe all ancient civilizations believe in the clash of civilizations," said Professor Abdul-Monem Al-Mashat from Future University in Egypt. He argued that the United States has commissioned studies after the collapse of the Soviet Union, in order to find enemies and excuses to push investors in the United States to produce weapons.

“We believe in multilateralism,” he emphasized. “Multilateralism means compromises, means you give and take, means win-win situations, it doesn't mean at all domination of one over the other. Tolerance is the keyword for establishing peace, establishing co-existence, establishing the stability in a whole universe.”

Civilization as a way of life

Professor Huang Jing from Beijing Language and Culture University said, “when Samuel Huntington wrote the book 'Clash of Civilizations' in 1993, the basis of the assumption was that civilizations were going to clash with each other because their values are different, but the problem is that civilizations clash with each other only when one civilization tries to invade other civilizations, and imposes values on others. That's the problem.”

He defined civilization as a way of life, which has three elements: first is how we define ourselves in the given nature; second is how we as social animals deal with each other and try to get along; third is how to rule people and to be ruled, what is the so-called governance.

Sino-Indian relations

But does one size fit all? In response, Professor M.D. Nalapat from India's Manipal University noted that one system couldn't fit all countries. He suggested that efforts should be made on cooperation between different cultures and civilizations. “True facts, true spirituality, true civilization, and true culture will bind each other in the universe, especially when information flow is so wide.”

He cited the example of Sino-Indian relations, "India and China comprise 2.7 billion people. India and China, if they are working together with each other, can contribute much more to the world, and if they have problems with each other, the entire world will suffer. In any team, if the team works together, the team wins; if the team fights each other, the team loses."

Finding common ground

The idea of cooperation was echoed by others. As Huang claimed, we realize we are different and recognize the differences. However, we should never, ever let our differences overwhelm a common ground.

“What is the common ground?” he asked. “It is the love of life. That will lead us to live, to survive, and to continue to improve our life together. That's why we should keep a common ground and flourish in our common ground on the major issues while preserving our differences on the minor issues because no matter how different we are, we are still all human beings.”

In the view of Rokanas, civilizations are by definition a product of dialogue. Dialogue creates civilization, and civilizations fundamentally are not strange to each other. He also pointed out that today the most important thing is to think about a global civilization and a global culture.

“The world is one family. The point of the family is you may be different, you may dislike each other, you may argue with each other, but you cannot escape the fact that we are all from the same family,” said Professor Nalapat.

“Dialogue of Civilizations” is a new series launched by CGTN’s primetime talk show program “Dialogue”. Anchors and guests from different countries are invited to join the TV debate, to discuss values of ancient civilizations, development of multiculturalism, and reconstruction of multipolar politics. Particularly in the context of rising anti-globalization and populism in the world, “Dialogue with Civilizations” will provide a diversified TV platform for international audiences to see political issues and international relations from the perspective of different civilizations and resolve conflicts through dialogue.

To watch the live broadcasting of the show, please click here: https://www.cgtn.com/channel/en.do

(Premiere December 7: 19:20-20:15; Repeats December 8: 03:05-04:00 & 11:05-12:00 BJT)

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