Beliefs - Religion & Globalisation - 5.5 Flashcards
Fundamentalism
Appeal to tradition seek return to basics/fundamentals of their faith.
Characteristics of Fundamentalism
> An authoritative sacred text > Us & them mentality > Aggressive reaction to threat > Use of modern tech > Patriarchy > Conspiracy theories
An authoritative sacred text - Characteristics of Fundamentalism
> Literal interpretation of religious texts as eternally having answer’s to life’s questions
> See biblical prophecies being fulfilled today & intolerant to alternative views
> Refusing to engage in debate.
Characteristics of Fundamentalism (Key Study)
> Davie (Us & Them Mentality)
> Hawley (Patriarchy)
Davie - Us & Them Mentality
> Separateness from rest of world, unable to compromise
> Seek to create islands of certainty among perceived social & cultural chaos
Aggressive Reaction to Threat - Characteristics of Fundamentalism
> Like to draw attention to threat of beliefs & values through aggressive action
> Directed by elders or clergy
Use of Modern Technology - Characteristics of Fundamentalism
> Oppose modern society, but use modern technology to achieve aims
> e.g. televangelists, social media & military weaponry
Patriarchy - Hawley
Want to control women’s reproductive powers & sexuality & biologically based gender roles fixed by god
Prophecy - Characteristics of Fundamentalism
Believe final days will soon be upon us & second coming of christ & final defeat of Satan & Armageddon.
Conspiracy Theories - Characteristics of Fundamentalism
Islamic/Christian groups have anti-semitic views believing Jews are conspiring to secure world domination.
Fundamentalism, Modernity & Postmodernity (Key Studies)
> Davie (Fundamentalism & Modernity)
> Giddens (Fundamentalism & Modernity & Contrast with Cosmopolitanism)
> Bauman (Postmodernity & Fundamentalism)
> Castells (two Responses to Modernity)
Davie (Fundamentalism & Modernity)
> Only occurs when traditional beliefs threatened by modernity
> Also products of modernity, threat may be from outside
> e.g. globalisation or within e.g. liberal attitudes to gender
Fundamentalism & Modernity - Giddens
> Due to globalisation, undermining traditional norms concerning family diversity, sexuality & abortion etc.
> Fundamentalism offers protection from risky & uncertain world.
Fundamentalism & Contrast with Cosmopolitanism - Giddens
> Cosmopolitanism is a way of thinking embracing modernity - open to alternative views, it modifies beliefs based on new ideas.
> Life personal choice, not god focused, focused on self-improvement.
Bauman - Postmodernity & Fundamentalism
> Autonomy can cause uncertainty & increased awareness of risk undermining tradition.
> Some embrace freedom, but some attracted to truth & certainty of fundamentalism.
Castells - Two Responses to Modernity
> Resistance Identity
> Project Identity
Resistant Identity - Castells
Defensive reaction by those feeling threatened & retreat to fundamentalism
Project Identity - Castells
Forward thinkers engage with movements e.g. feminism & environmentalism.
A03 of Bauman, Giddens & Castells (Key Studies)
> Beckford
> Haynes
Beckford - Criticisms of Giddens, Bauman & Castells
> Too focused on fundamentalism & ignore impact of globalisation on catholicism.
> Ignore hybrid movements & doesn’t consider return to tradition as reflexive rather than defensive.
Haynes - Criticisms of Giddens, Bauman & Castells
> Islamic Fundamentalism not always reaction to globalisation.
> But react to local elites failing to improve living standards
Monotheism & Secular Fundamentalism (Key Study)
> Bruce (Monotheism & Fundamentalism & two Fundamentalisms)
> Davie (Secular Fundamentalism) (1st Phase & 2nd Phase)
> Ansell (Implications of Secular Fundamentalism)
Bruce - Monotheism & Fundamentalism
> Only in monotheistic religions as they’re based on god’s will from sacred texts.
> Polytheists don’t have an omnipotent (all powerful) God or authoritative texts
> So increased scope for differing interpretations.
Two Fundamentalism’s - Bruce
> Western
> 3rd World
Western Fundamentalism - Bruce
> Reaction to changes in society e.g. diversity & choice.
> e.g. New Christian Right developed as response to family diversity, sexual permissiveness & secular education
> Want to restore religion to public role shaping laws & morals.
3rd World Fundamentalism - Bruce
> Reaction to external changes e.g. foreign capitalism or local elites
> Includes resistance to states attempts to privatise religion e.g. Islamic Revolution in Iran
Davie - Secular Fundamentalism (1st Phase, 18c-1960’s)
> Enlightenment philosophers had optimistic secular belief in progress based on rationality.
> Secualrised all areas of life & undermining religious certainties.
> Led to Fundamentalism
Davie - Secular Fundamentalism (2nd Phase, 1970-)
> Enlightenment project attacked due to increasing uncertainty of globalisation
> Secular ideologies e.g. liberalism & Marxism attacked
> So people are increasingly attracted to anti-religious sentiment & increasing nationalism e.g. France made it illegal to wear hijab
Ansell - Implications of Secular Fundamentalism
> Sees trends as form of cultural racism uses ideas of equality & integration
> But more about legitimating exclusion of religion or cultural minorities.
Clash of Civilisations (Key Studies)
> Huntington (Clash of Civilisations)
World Values Survey (Real Clash of Civilisations)
Ingelhart & Norris (Real Clash of Civilisations)
Huntington - Clash of Civilisations
> Nation-states insignificant as source of identity creating gap filled by religion
> Globalisation results in increasing contact with civilisations led to conflict with an us & them mentality - with competition between civilisations for economic/military power.
> Religious differences harder to resolve compared to political differences, as they’re deeply rooted in history & culture.
> West under threat from Islam, needs to reassert Christanity to win.
Examples of Civilisations outlined by Huntington
> Western
Islamic
Hindu
Latin American
A03 Criticisms of Huntington (Key Studies)
> Jackson
Casanova
Horrie & Chippendale
Armstrong
Jackson - Criticisms of Huntington
Form of Orientalism e.g. Western ideology stereotyping eastern religions as untrustworthy to justify human rights abuses.
Casanova - Criticisms of Huntington
Huntington ignores divisions in civilisations e.g. Sunni & Shia Islam
Horrie & Chippendale - Criticisms of Huntington
Portrays whole of Islam as enemy, not all muslims interested in holy war against the west.
Armstrong - Criticisms of Huntington
Hostility against the West isn’t due to fundamentalist Islam, but reaction to the West’s support of Israel & aggressive treatment of Palestinians/ wars in the Middle East.
Real Clash of Civilisations - World Values Survey
> Issue dividing West from the Muslim world, not about democracy but sexuality
> Increased differences in attitudes to divorce, abortion & LGBT
Ingelhart & Norris - Real Clash of Civilisations
> No global agreement on values e.g. gender equality & free speech
> These values are real reason for clash between the West & muslim societies.
Define Cultural Defence
> Religion unites community against an external threat e.g Poland & Iran
> Shows how religion can be used to defend national identity against domination by an external power
Bruce - Poland as an example of Cultural Defence
> Communist rule imposed by Soviet Union , so church was suppressed
> Still embodying national identity & rallying point against communism
> Church actively supported solidarity free Trade Union movement leading to fall of communism.
Bruce - Iran as example of Cultural Defence
> Western capitalist powers had long influence, bringing, pro-western regime headed by Shah
> Later aiming for rapid modernisation & westernisation, but Islam was form of resistance
> Revolution meant creation of Islamic Republic - clergy had state power & imposed Sharia Law.
Religion & Development (Key Studies)
> Nanda (God & Globalisation in India, Hinduism & Consumerism & Ultra Nationalism)
> Nanda (Rejection of Poverty & Existential Security for increased religiosity)
> Berger (Pentecostalism in LA)
> Lehmann (Pentecostalism, Global & Local)
God & Globalisation in India - Nanda
> Globalisation created urban educated middle class, working in jobs closely linked to economic growth - predicted to be the first people to abandon religion
> But the middle class still believe in the supernatural resulting in increased religious tourism e.g. temples - it is fashionable to be religious
> Middle class are more attracted to gods worshipped by working class, as they’re seen more responsive to people’s needs
Nanda - Rejection of Poverty & Existential Security for increased religiosity
> Can’t be reason as middle class aren’t poor, religiosity isn’t a defence reaction to westernisation
> Middle class in India are optimistic about chances globalisation brings
Hinduism & Consumerism - Nanda
> Tele-gurus changed view of wealth, not sinful to be rich but a sign of divine favour.
> Using business-friendly version of Hinduism, accepting materialism
> Consumerism can be spiritually balanced - paying for extravagant rituals, modern version of Hinduism legitimates position of the middle class
Hindu-Ultra Nationalism - Nanda
> Believe culture is superior to others, media promotes view success in global market due to this
> Worship of gods now create a worshipping nation, hinduism now a civil religion
> Also penetrated public life, Hindu sciences e.g. astrology to predict natural disasters
Capitalism in East Asia
> Tiger economies e.g. Korea & Singapore - now industrialised, big forces in global economy as well as China
> Spirit of capitalism in Chinese as Confucianism encourage hard work, discipline & self-improvement
> Similar to protestant work ethic as it creates economic productivity & gain of capital.
Berger - Pentecostalism in Latin America
> Had similar impact to Calvinism in EU, encourages people to better themselves work their way out of poverty not waiting for salvation
> Thus improves inspiring followers to adopt a dedicated work ethic
> e.g. Brazil & Chile have pentecostalist middle class leading capitalist development
Lehmann - Pentecostalism: Global & Local
> Successful global religion due to ability to incorporate local beliefs
> Whilst giving people access to greater power e.g Holy Spirit, creating new local religious forms, not replacing existing beliefs
> e.g. Africa & Africanisation of Christianity whilst maintaining indigenous religions
