CONSERVATISM FOR THE JEWS:

. . . and has become a belated bestseller in Israel (Peter Berkowitz, 2/15/2004, Boston Globe)

Originally published in 1996, the book is based on a short 1993 article, "Clash of Civilizations?" (note the subsequently dropped question mark), which appeared in the prestigious journal Foreign Affairs. The article generated heated debate in the United States and in capitals around the globe. But when the Hebrew-language daily Yediot Ahronot, Israel's most widely read newspaper, published substantial excerpts from the article 10 years ago, the Israeli public paid little attention.

Huntington's article argued against political scientist Francis Fukuyama, who had maintained in another celebrated article four years earlier that the "end of history" was upon us. By this Fukuyama meant that a world-wide consensus was emerging that liberal democracy, oriented toward peace and prosperity, was not merely the way of the West but the only rational and legitimate form of government.

To the contrary, replied Huntington, the future of world politics would be no less bloody than its past. However, the major conflicts in the coming century would not pit nation against nation, as had more or less been the case since the emergence of the modern international system in the middle of the 17th century. Rather, the wars of the future would be waged between great cultures or civilizations defined by common language and shared religious beliefs. The most momentous clash would feature, in Huntington's pithy phrase, "the West against the rest" -- in particular, Chinese and Muslim civilization.

Pertinent as it is, Huntington's analysis would not be attracting attention in Israel today but for the decision of the Shalem Center, a young and increasingly influential Jerusalem think tank led by Yoram Hazony and Daniel Polisar, to publish a Hebrew translation of the complete book. Shalem is dedicated to bringing serious conservative ideas to bear on Jewish thought and Israeli public policy. Among their projects have been Hebrew translations of such classic works as Edmund Burke's "Reflections on the Revolution in France," Friedrich Hayek's "The Road to Serfdom," and most recently "The Federalist."

The project is eminently worthy and their publication, Azure, terrific.

Posted by Orrin Judd at April 11, 2004 10:19 AM