Samuel Huntington In The Post-cold War Strategic Thinking Research

Samuel P. Huntington, a famous politician and international scholar, is well-known in international politics study for his keen insight and unique theoretical style. There is no denying the fact that the study of his strategic thought and the analysis of his origin of theory, traits, connotation, exhibition and influence after the Cold War is of significance in academics, theory and reality. Mr. Huntington often makes clear conclusion and to support his judgment by data of history and reality. His conclusion is based on history and he combines history with theory. He puts emphasis on positive study and strategic study; his theory study relates to politics, history, culture and international politics etc., therefore, in this paper, under the guidance of Marxist dialectical materialism and historical materialism, the methods of politics, history, international politics, sociology and documentation study are employed in the analysis and study of Huntington's international strategic thoughts.In this paper, a deep and systematic study is made on a series of works and papers which is of great influence in and after the Cold War, which is a base for a clear understanding of Huntington's thoughts on America's national interests, the theory of global clash of civilizations, the study and consideration of domestic culture and politics, the third wave of world democratization, the thought of political modernization, the important theory of America's China strategy after Cold War and his sole thoughts on international strategy. The analysis of his philosophical base and the origin tracing in social thoughts of theory and strategy consists of a basically complete study of Huntington's international strategy thought in the post Cold war period.In the first chapter, a study on Huntington's strategic thought of national interest of the US is made; and the conclusion is a national interest of conservative feature by Mr. Huntington. In his thought, the judgment and practice of American national interest is warped in the post Cold war period; he put forward the policy of avoiding becoming the lonely superpower after Cold war; and he considers that the US should be modest in pursuing American national interest, which is of great reference in the study of the trend of America national interest.In the second chapter, the most famous theory of civilizations clash is analyzed. The purpose is to understand the model of civilizations clash correctly. And the author of this paper considers that most scholars, domestically or overseas, misunderstand his mode of civilizations clash, which mainly include: the thought that Huntington's civilization conflict is a substitution of interest conflict, and the civilization a substitution of nation; and some even consider that Huntington only defines conflict in his concept of civilization, excluded such contents as amalgamation etc. On serious study, the author considers that Huntington did not deviate and discard the pursuit of power and interest, what he put forward is to interpret the post Cold war world from the perspective of power and culture; and the perspective proper is a crux to understand his theory of civilizations clash. In this study, the concept of civilization by Huntington is generally defined and analyzed, and on this basis, the author considers and interprets Huntington's mode of civilizations clash in his own way; and three criteria for analyzing the mode of civilizations clash is advanced and the theory of composition of historical forces is brought forth for the correct understanding of world civilization course. On the comprehensive understanding of Huntington's theory nucleus, a historical animadvert is made about Huntington's analysis of the main trend in the course of civilization is conflict, not amalgamation; and a detailed analysis is conducted on the conflict between western civilization and non-western civilizations, the alliance of Confucius and Islam to contradict with the west, a serious challenge of the west by Islam world; and finally a critical thought is undertaken on the schema put forward by Huntington on dealing with civilizations clash and reconstruction of the future global order, and of course with the author's analysis and comment. A comprehensive and accurate interpretation of Huntington's unique theory of civilizations clash is conducive to the profound study of the global trend and important issues facing the world, and so to the study of international theories.In the third chapter, the angle is changed from global civilizations clash to domestic civilization clash in the US. A deep concern on America domestic cultural crisis of Huntington is expressed by Huntington and an analysis is done on the emergence of cultural crisis in the US; and at the same time, an interpretation of his old work, American Politics: The Promise of Disharmony, which is classical and not to known to many people, is conducted. In American Politics: The Promise of Disharmony, Huntington analyzes American politics from the point view of the relations between American political system and political ideal, which is helpful for the understanding of American politics and culture in the post Cold War period. The contents in this part are conducive to a more profound understanding of current American culture, status quo and fore-ground of politics. It can be said that the second and third part is the nucleus of this dissertation.In the fourth chapter, the third wave of global democratization put forward by Huntington's another influential work: The Third Wave—Democratization in the Late Twentieth Century, published short after the Cold War, is studied. The course and trend of the third wave is analyze and with the author's comment added, which is of significance for a deeper study of democracy. In the fifth chapter, the book Political Order in Changing Societies, which establishes Huntington's reputation, and related works are studied. And a detailed analysis is made on Huntington's thought of political modernization; his famous theory of powerful government, politics systematization modernization and modernity, and economic development and political stability are also interpreted. Huntington's thought of political modernization is of alerting effect for the process of third world countries'modernization and is worthy of use for reference. In the sixth chapter, a special analysis is conducted on Huntington's understanding of China strategy after the Cold War, Sino-US relations and Taiwan issue. Chinese strategy thought and strategic answer are also analyzed here.In the seventh chapter, reconsideration on Huntington's theories is conducted; the philosophical base of his theory is interpreted and the origin of his social thought is traced. It is clearly that Huntington's theory is a combination of conservative concept and liberal concept, with a conservative feature; and his thought in the post-Cold War period doesn't belong to the domain of neo-conservatism, which lays a foundation for the understanding of Huntington's international strategy thought philosophically and theoretically. The research is sure to push forward the demarcation of Huntington proper and all kinds of thoughts in the US.Huntington's international strategic thought is worthy of reference and consideration, which is especially true to the international strategy circle in China.