The debate on the civilizational approach: essentialism, constructivism and contemporary historical sociology

The article presents a critical review of the debate on civilizational identity in contemporary social science. The theory of clash of civilizations is discussed as an example of the essentialist approach to that problem. It is argued in the article that this approach did not make a substantial theoretical contribution to civilizational analysis and lacks empirical confirmation. Social constructivism represents an alternative to the essentialist approach. From the constructivist perspective civilizations are characterized as imagined communities. However, that perspective displays some limitations in conducting empirical research. It has been argued that civilizational identity can be studied with the same methodological tools as any other form of identity. Nevertheless, it should be taken into account that civilizational identity in today’s societies is generally weaker than its national or regional forms. The article highlights the peculiarities of civilizational analysis in contemporary historical sociology. It is emphasized that this approach occupies an intermediate position between essentialism and constructivism. The article makes a conclusion that historical civilizations – from the axial age to modern times – can be discussed from the essentialist perspective although these civilizations were more changeable than essentialism supposes. At the same time studies of civilizational identity in today’s societies should draw on a moderate version of constructivism.