Will the Western world succeed in halting its decline, in the face of the growing power of Islam and of China? Will we quickly learn how to coexist, or will our differences push us towards a new type of conflict, which will be even more violent than the ones we have experienced over the past century? According to Samuel Huntington, populations today tend to reorganise in function of cultural affinities. Political frontiers have become less significant than religious, ethnic and intellectual barriers. The old conflicts between ideological blocs have been replaced by the clash of cultures. At the beginning of this new century, the questions addressed by the author are more relevant than ever. This is the book to read to understand the contemporary world and the real threats that are arising.

'The most important book since the end of the cold war.'

Henry Kissinger

'An intellectual tour de force: a fundamental work that will revolutionise our vision of international affairs.'

Zbigniew Brzezinski

Samuel P. Huntington teaches at Harvard University and heads the John M. Olin Institute for Strategic Studies. He was an expert on the National Security Council, during the Carter Administration. He founded Foreign Policy magazine, and is one of its directors.