Book Review: 'Culture Matters' by Samuel Huntington and Lawrence E. Harrison - A Deep Dive into the Impact of Culture on Progress

In 'The Clash of Civilizations and the Remaking of World Order,' Samuel Huntington argued that cultural identity, rather than ideology or economics, would be the primary source of conflict in the post-Cold War world. In 'Culture Matters,' Huntington and co-author Lawrence E. Harrison expand on this argument, exploring the impact of culture on economic development, political stability, and social progress.

I find the authors' analysis of the role of culture in shaping human behavior and values to be insightful and thought-provoking. They make a compelling case that cultural values and attitudes can either facilitate or hinder economic growth and political stability, depending on whether they are compatible with modernization and democracy.

One of the book's key insights is the importance of 'developmental values' such as individualism, innovation, and risk-taking in fostering economic growth and social progress. The authors show that many traditional societies lack these values, which can explain why they have been left behind in the global economy. However, they also caution against overly simplistic notions of 'Westernization' or 'modernization' as the solution to all problems, noting that cultural diversity and pluralism are important sources of creativity and innovation.

Overall, I believe that 'Culture Matters' is a valuable contribution to our understanding of the complex interplay between culture and development. While there may be some room for debate over the specifics of the authors' analysis, their central argument that culture plays a crucial role in shaping human progress is difficult to dispute.