Globalisation & fundamentalism

Giddens - Fundamentalism & modernity

• Globalisation: hear lots of views from around the world, increase in diverse views. Two different responses:

  • Fundamentalism: Arises where those who hold traditional beliefs and values feel threatened by modernity e.g. liberal attitudes to gender. Defend own views

  • Cosmopolitanism: People tolerant and accepting of others’ views, embracing the diversity of ideas e.g. engaging with social movements such as feminism

• C: Ignores differences between different types of fundamentalism

Castells - Project v Resistant identity

• Postmodernism and globalisation bring many changes and therefore uncertainties and instabilities, leading to two responses:

  • Project identity: Response of those who are forward looking and engaged with social movements such as feminism and environmentalism

  • Resistant identity: Defensive reaction by those who feel threatened and retreat into Fundamentalist communities

Bruce - monotheism

• Fundamentalism is just confined to monotheistic religions e.g. Judaism, Islam, Christianity

• Polytheistic religions, like Hinduism, believe in many Gods and are unlikely to produce fundamentalism

• In the west: Fundamentalism is a reaction to change in society, with increased diversity and choice e.g. New Christian Right USA, opposition to family diversity

• In 3rd world countries: Fundamentalism is usually a reaction to changes being thrust on a society from the outside, such as Western values imposed by foreign capitalism e.g. the Iranian revolution 1979 against Westernisation of Iran

Huntington - Clash of civilisations

• 7 major civilisations (Western, Latin American, COnfucian, Japanese, Islamic, Hindu, Slavic-Orthodox)

• Each civilisation has a common cultural background, identified with one of the world’s major religions

• Each of these is a large community, sharing a common culture and history, having shared norms and values within each

• This results in a ‘clash’ due to strong differences creating a ‘them’ and ‘us’ division, making people feel distinct and different from each other

• E.g. Clash between Western culture and Islam is difficult to resolve due to being deep rooted and having long histories

• C: Al-Qaeda don’t stand for the entire Islamic civilisation

Davie: Rise in secular fundamentalism

• Growing pessimism and uncertainty result from changes such as globalisation, with concerns about the environment and the collapse of communism in 1989, leading to the loss of faith in secularism

• Supporters of liberalism and rationalism have been attracted to secular fundamentalism e.g. France banned pupils from wearing religious symbols in school and banned veils in public

Bruce - Cultural defence and transition

• Religion unites a community against an external threat, providing a prominent role in politics. Religion symbolises the group’s collective identity

  • E.g. Iran: Western capitalist powers and oil companies influencing Iran, in 1960/70s increased this westernisation. Islam became focus for resistance to change

• Religious institutions play a crucial role in helping minority ethnic groups adapt to a new culture following migration e.g. attending church bringing familiarity in an unfamiliar place if were religious before

Nanda - Economic development

• Traditional Hindu belief in renouncing materialism/not spending on luxury etc leads to economic development aided by globalisation. Indians become wealthy, with telegurus and holy men preaching that desire is not bad

• This business-friendly version of Hinduism legitimises the middle class’ position. People in India therefore become more religious. Hinduism legitimises the rise of a new Hindu ‘ultra-nationalism’ and prosperity of the middle class

Redding - Tiger economies

• Capitalism in East Asian economies e.g. South Korea, Taiwan etc

• Post-Confucian values (Traditional Chinese belief system) encourage hard work, self-discipline, frugality and a commitment to education

• Leads to economic productivity and accumulation of capital (boosted economy)