ABSTRACT
This chapter first explains 'the end of history' and 'the clash of civilizations' in the broader theoretical context. It then attempts to offer an alternative understanding of the future of world affairs in light of what have transpired over the last 10 years or so. Despite its endorsement of the assumption of international anarchy, however, 'the clash of civilizations' thesis does seriously challenge one of the core assumptions of political realism - namely, the assumption of state as a unitary and a primary actor in international politics. A commonality between 'the clash of civilizations' thesis and neorealist theory is the rigidity of the basic elements underpinning their structure of argument. Historically, authority structures have been founded on traditional criteria of legitimacy derived from constitutional and legal sources. The sources of authority have now shifted from traditional to performance criteria of legitimacy.
