Global Order & Civilizational Conflict
- President Vladimir Putin of Russia, during a 2022 address, questioned the West's "rules-based order," signaling a rejection of the liberal international order.
- these leaders leverage ancient identities and moral exceptionalism to justify their global ambitions and strengthen domestic legitimacy. This strategic move involves actively mobilizing civilizational discourse to counter Western...
- Russia, under Putin, presents itself as a guardian of Eurasian civilization, framing its actions, including the invasion of Ukraine, as a defense of historical lands and Russian-speaking populations...
Nations are actively reshaping the global order.The article “Global Order & Civilizational Conflict” reveals how Russia, China, adn Turkey deploy cultural narratives to challenge Western influence, embracing civilizational revisionism as a tool for increased global ambitions. Leaders such as Putin, Xi, and Erdoğan use ancient contexts and moral standings to legitimize their actions, simultaneously boosting domestic support through what can be called populistic nationalism. Their strategies, though impactful in certain circumstances, also face limitations in the complex world of international diplomacy. This approach,fueled by strongman politics,creates a divide,impacting global power dynamics. Learn how these civilizational narratives are changing international relations and what the future holds. Discover what’s next …
Civilizational Revisionism Reshaping Global Order
Updated May 28, 2025
President Vladimir Putin of Russia, during a 2022 address, questioned the West’s ”rules-based order,” signaling a rejection of the liberal international order. This sentiment, echoed by leaders like Recep Tayyip erdoğan and xi Jinping, marks a trend of civilizational revisionism, where nations use past and cultural narratives to challenge Western dominance and assert option global frameworks.
these leaders leverage ancient identities and moral exceptionalism to justify their global ambitions and strengthen domestic legitimacy. This strategic move involves actively mobilizing civilizational discourse to counter Western hegemony and consolidate internal authority through populist nationalism.
Russia, under Putin, presents itself as a guardian of Eurasian civilization, framing its actions, including the invasion of Ukraine, as a defense of historical lands and Russian-speaking populations against Western moral decay. China, while more subtle, promotes a “Harmonious world” based on Confucian ideals, positioning initiatives like the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) as civilizational offerings rooted in mutual respect. Turkey, under erdoğan, blends Islamic identity with regional ambitions, seeking to revive a “fairer” imperial legacy and challenge the existing global order.
This resurgence of civilizational narratives is moast effective when paired with strongman politics, as seen in the leadership styles of Erdoğan, putin, and Xi. Their policies are driven by a sense of civilizational identity, creating a divide between “us” and ”them,” which helps rally domestic support and sidestep liberal critiques.
Though, this approach has limitations. Russia’s isolation after the Ukraine invasion, Turkey’s strained relations with the EU, and China’s reputational challenges suggest that civilizational rhetoric cannot replace coherent foreign policy. Despite questioning the liberal order, these nations remain embedded within it, maintaining economic and diplomatic ties with the West.
The rise of civilizational narratives reflects a broader crisis of liberal modernity,as non-Western actors seek to redefine global norms. Whether this leads to a multipolar world or managed divergence remains to be seen, but civilizational discourse has become a key element in international relations, shaping power dynamics and future possibilities.
What’s next
The ongoing shift toward civilizational narratives suggests a need for a deeper understanding of how these frameworks influence international relations and global power dynamics. Monitoring the actions and rhetoric of key actors like Russia, China, and turkey will be crucial in assessing the future trajectory of the global order.