Abstract (eng)
The objectives or the key research questions are:
To what extent can the thesis of Huntington's "Clash of Civilizations" be maintained in the light of the investigation?
To what extent do conflicts develop asymmetrically / symmetrically?
Are differences between the cultures worldwide responsible for a possible asymmetry of conflicts?
Period of investigation: 2006 - 2016
Since the publication of "Clash of Civilizations" in 1996, a lot of time has passed by. This publication has been debated, criticized and is still being discussed. Although the asymmetric war or conflict is far from being discussed as thoroughly as ten years ago, it has not disappeared from the public debate.
The main question of this dissertation is whether and to what extent the theories and predictions of Samuel Huntington's "Clash of Civilizations" have occurred, as well as to what extent asymmetric interdependencies and their effects on the behaviour of state and non-state actors exist within international politics.
Theories from international politics as well as the findings of the Huntington and the asymmetry debate are connected with the empirical investigation of the political realities of conflicts in general, as well as with a case study. The theories are being used as the guiding framework for the analysis of the real influence, while at the same time the investigation of the case study serves to test the theories used. As a basis for the investigation of the development of wars / conflicts as well as their causes, the data material of the Universities of Heidelberg - Institut für Konfliktforschung (HIIK / conflict barometer), Uppsala (Uppsala Conflict Data Program), Hamburger Arbeitsgemeinschaft Kriegsursachenforschung (AKUF) and the UN (Cartographic Section of the Monitoring and Information Branch of the Department of Political Affairs) will be used.