The « Clash of Civilizations » theory, proposed by political scientist Samuel Huntington, argues that future global conflicts will be driven not by ideology or economics, but by cultural and religious identities.

Huntington suggested that the primary sources of conflict in the post-Cold War world would be between civilizations, such as the West, Islam, and Confucian cultures. This theory has been debated extensively, particularly after events like 9/11, where cultural and religious divides played a significant role in global tensions. Critics argue that the theory oversimplifies complex geopolitical issues and can reinforce divisions.