International Journal Of History And Political Sciences

The Totalitarian Imagination: Scientism, Natural Law, And The Defense Of Moral Order In C. S. Lewis’s That Hideous Strength

Dr. Alistair Finch — 2025-11-01

Background: C. S. Lewis’s 1945 novel, That Hideous Strength, is often read as a science-fiction thriller or Christian allegory. However, its profound engagement with political and philosophical themes, particularly its critique of modernity's trajectory, warrants a more focused analysis within contemporary ethical and political discourse.

Objective: This article aims to analyze That Hideous Strength as a sophisticated defense of the Natural Law tradition against the rise of a "totalitarian imagination" fueled by scientism. We argue that Lewis stages a conflict between an objective moral order (the Tao) and a reductionist, technocratic worldview that seeks to conquer and redefine human nature.

Methods: The study employs a qualitative methodology of philosophical textual analysis. The narrative of That Hideous Strength [22] is examined through a theoretical framework informed by Lewis's non-fiction, particularly The Abolition of Man [12], the Natural Law philosophy of John Finnis [8, 9], and Michael Polanyi’s post-critical epistemology [18]. Key concepts such as scientism, Natural Law, and the totalitarian imagination are defined and applied to the novel's characters, institutions, and central conflict.

Results: The analysis reveals that the novel's antagonist, the National Institute of Co-ordinated Experiments (N.I.C.E.), serves as a literary embodiment of scientism's dehumanizing potential, pursuing a posthumanist agenda that Lewis equates with the "abolition of man." In contrast, the community of St. Anne's represents a society founded upon the principles of Natural Law, emphasizing moral virtue, tradition, and the integration of the material and spiritual realms. The narrative conflict is thus framed as a war between two fundamentally opposed conceptions of reality, knowledge, and the human good.

Conclusion: That Hideous Strength emerges as a prescient and enduring critique of the technocratic and totalitarian impulses inherent in a purely materialistic worldview. By grounding his defense of humanity in the classical-Christian concept of Natural Law, Lewis provides a vital intellectual and moral resource for navigating contemporary challenges related to bioethics, posthumanism, and the erosion of shared moral foundations.

China’s Multidimensional Foreign Policy Under Xi Jinping: Governance, Security, And Development Perspectives

Mirabbos Mirgiyosov — 2025-11-12

This article explores the foreign policy of the People’s Republic of China under Xi Jinping, highlighting its multidimensional approach encompassing global governance, development, security, and civilizational diplomacy. The study analyzes key frameworks such as the Belt and Road Initiative, the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative, and the Global Civilization Initiative. It emphasizes China’s emphasis on sovereignty, non-interference, balanced great-power relations, and multilateralism, while outlining Beijing’s role as a mediator in international conflicts, particularly in the context of the Ukraine crisis. The paper also examines the institutionalization of China’s international aid system, the comprehensive national security strategy, and the ideological and cultural dimensions underpinning Xi Jinping’s foreign policy. The findings demonstrate China’s proactive diplomacy, its pursuit of an inclusive and balanced global order, and its ambition to establish alternative models of governance and cooperation in the 21st century.

Gamification In History Education: Practical Approaches And Pedagogical Innovations

Nodira Babadjanova — 2025-11-05

This paper examines the application of gamification strategies in history education, focusing on practical approaches and pedagogical innovations. It analyzes the use of game elements such as quizzes, role-playing, simulations, and digital technologies (Kahoot!, Quizizz, VR) to enhance students’ motivation and engagement. The study compares national and international practices and provides recommendations for educators.

Repressed People In The Namangan Region In The 1930s–1950s And Their Social Composition

Abdujabborov Mirzohid Abdug‘affor o‘g‘li — 2025-11-08

During the 1930s–1950s, under the rule of the Soviet state, spiritually mature and progressive intellectuals also became victims of political repression. The Soviet authorities did everything in their power to destroy the spiritual consciousness of the common people. They understood that once people’s awareness began to develop, they would become more difficult to control. Therefore, educated and independent-minded individuals were slandered as “traitors to the motherland” and exiled to distant regions such as Siberia, Ukraine, Belarus, and the Far East.