Abstract

This paper argues that Turkey’s contemporary role in the Caspian Sea region directly challenges Samuel P. Huntington’s civilizational paradigm. While his work, Clash of Civilizations and the Remaking of World Order (1996), is now a rather dated contribution to International Relations Theory, Huntington’s ideas have continued to reverberate in the post-9/11 world. As the conflict between the US and the Islamic world drags on in Iraq and the Middle East, the allure of Huntingtonesque arguments may be all the stronger.

The civilization that most conforms to Huntington’s paradigm is the Islamic civilization. Within the geographical area of this civilization, the Caspian Sea presents an ideal region for study. Historically, this region has been an arena for the struggles of major global powers. In the 19th century, this pattern of conflict was dubbed The Great Game. Russia, China, and the US constitute the global powers now engaged in this pattern of competition. Therefore, the region provides possible support for those who endorse a clash of civilizations paradigm.

However, analysis of Turkey’s interaction in this region undermines this case. Turkey is an historically integral part of the Islamic world and cannot easily be dismissed by Huntington as an anomaly. This paper employs historical event data analysis across global, regional, and state levels. The conclusion of this research is that Turkey’s international relationships do not reflect a growing trend toward a clash of civilizations. This examination, then, may be a timely reminder that the civilizational approach lacks utility in International Relations Theory.

Introduction

In the post 9/11 world, questions linger about the conflict between the United States, Islamic countries, and extremists. One popular explanation of this conflict is Samuel P. Huntington’s “clashing civilizations.” While Huntington’s book, Clash of Civilizations and the Remaking of World Order (1996), is now a rather dated contribution to International Relations Theory, the allure of his arguments is still strong. Even the US congress has entertained his ideas. On September 14, 2006, the House of Representatives Subcommittee on the Middle East and Central Asia held a hearing entitled, “Is there a clash of civilizations?: Islam, democracy, and U.S.- Middle East and Central Asia Policy.” ¹

The Islamic civilization appears at the center of debates over the clash of civilizations. Within the geographical bounds of the Islamic civilization, the Caspian Sea area presents an ideal region for study. The Caspian is the largest inland body of water in the world, bordering Russia, Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan, Azerbaijan, and Iran. Historically, this region has hosted the struggles of major global powers. In the 19th century, this pattern of conflict came to be known as The Great Game. Today, Russia, China, and the US are the powers competing for regional influence. Therefore, Caspian Sea history possibly provides support for a clash of civilizations paradigm.

However, within the region lies the secular Republic of Turkey. The intimate ties between Turkey and Western states do not conform to Huntington’s paradigm. Historically an essential part of the Islamic civilization, Turkey also cannot easily be dismissed as an anomaly.

The purpose of this paper is to challenge Huntingtonesque explanations of foreign affairs. The hypothesis is that Turkey’s foreign relations with the global powers (Russia, China, and the US) and the states of the Caspian Sea region (Iran, Caucasus, and Central Asia), cannot be explained by Huntington. To evaluate Huntington’s theory, this research paper will employ historical event data analysis at the global and regional levels.

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