Reasons for increase in fundamentalism Flashcards
The threat of a secular society has increased fundamentalism
In a comparative study of fundamentalism, Almond identified a growth in fundamentalist movements among Muslims in Pakistan, Egypt and Palestine, Jews in Israel, Buddhists in Sri Lanka and Christians in the USA.
Bruce said the rise of fundamentalism can be seen as a response to a perceived threat from a secular, cosmopolitan society.
As a response by groups faced with the effects of marginalisation and structural change in society (a Neo Marxist view)
social group is marginalised by being denied status and rewards in society, they may be attracted to a fundamentalist sect because it not only offers an explanation for their marginality but opportunities for future achievement.
Wilson found young black Americans were attracted to Islamic sects in the 1960’s, such as Nation of Islam, as they offered an explanation for their social exclusion and a means for radical organisation. Weber also found fundamentalist sects are most likely to emerge amongst the poor. Such fundamentalist sects develop a ‘theodicy of disprivilege’
Today, ISIS attracts members of the Asian community who are marginalised and denied status in western society
Globalisation is seen as a threat and it has increased the spread of fundamentalist beliefs
Giddens The process of globalisation has undermined traditional values of society in relation to the family, gender roles and sexuality. post-modern age individuals are constantly faced with choice, uncertainty and risk and this can result in them facing a situation of anomie. Therefore, the rigid beliefs of fundamentalism promise certainty in an uncertain world. Some people feel secure in the faith-based answers provided by fundamentalism. Eg God created the world
fundamentalism is a defensive reaction by those who feel threatened by globalisation and a secular world.
The technology of globalisation has spread extreme fundamentalist beliefs around the world
Tony Blair warned that radical extreme Islamists are using the technology of globalisation to spread their propaganda to Muslims around the world. Such technology has become a powerful recruiting tool
used to inspire young Muslims to take up arms against the west. Technology can result in the ‘demonstration effect’ or copycat behaviours, for example in suicide bombings. It can also lead to the ‘social grooming’ of young Muslims who become ‘radicalised’ in their views of Islam and enticed by the prospect of a better future in a religious fundamentalist sect
In response to a common external threat:
Steve Bruce argues that Islamic fundamentalism is a reaction to changes that are taking place outside of society.
For example, the Islamic Revolution in Iran was caused by the imposition of western values on the country by the Shah of Iran. Globalisation and the spread of capitalism undermined traditional Islamic values eg on dress, morals, religious worship, family life etc… The Islamic Revolution was a means of restoring fundamentalist Islamic values on Iran
In response to a common internal threat:
Steve Bruce argues that Christian fundamentalism is a reaction to changes taking place within society. For example, movements such as the New Christian Right in the USA have developed in opposition to changes in society such as the breakdown of family life, liberal attitudes to sexual behaviour, gender equality, abortion rights and the advance of secular education.
Therefore, the New Christian Right aims to reassert the ‘true’ meaning of religion and restore its influence on shaping the laws and morals of society.
Through religions lacking a centralised authority
The Roman Catholic Church has a centralised authority based on the Pope and the Vatican. Such is their authority that followers are unable to challenge their version of the religion.
However, the protestant religions and Islam lack a central authority and so dissenting groups are able to emerge that put forward alternative versions of the religion which claim to be following the fundamentalist or true faith
