The clash of civilizations in Bashkortostan? An empirical test of S. Huntington's thesis

On the materials of the empirical research conducted in the Republic of Bashkortostan, the article checks S. Huntington’s theory of the clash of civilizations. The study materials refute the thesis of a theory of Muslim and Orthodox-Slavish civilizations’ political and value assumptions incompatibility. On the contrary, both religions have manifested solidarity in issues of significance of freedom, justice, primacy of law and about permissibility of religious organizations’ impact on political decision-making (no statistically significant difference between groups has been found). S. Huntington’s claim on expansion of religious radicalism support also found no vindication. Contrary to S. Huntington’s allegations, share of youth who adhere to this position does not exceed the similar share of older people. Based on the data on the attitude of the local population to visitors of different civilizational affiliation, the thesis about the rallying of civilizations is checked. About a half of all respondents supports restrictive measures in regard of newcomers, irrespective of their civilizational belonging.