Trends towards cultural homogenization. The ‘clash of
civilizations’ thesis offers, at best, a one-sided account of
contemporary cultural trends. In particular, it ignores the
extent to which globalization and other forces have
already blurred cultural differences in many parts of the
world. Although the ‘one world’ image advanced by socalled
hyperglobalizers and liberal internationalists may
be naive, there are nevertheless strong tendencies towards
economic interdependence and integration which at least
counter-balance, and perhaps contain, any centrifugal
tendencies that civilizational rivalry may generate.