Topic 5 - Religion in the Global Context (Globalisation)

Question 1

Outline 3 key aspects of fundamentalism [3]

Answer 1

An authoritative sacred text:
For Christian Fundamentalists every word of the bible is literally true for all eternity & without error. Intolerant of all other views

An ‘us and them’ mentality:
Separate themselves from the rest of the world & refuse to compromise with it - (Davie) they establish islands of certainty

Patriarchy:
Hawley notes fundamentalists favour a world in which control over women’s sexuality is fixed by divine decree

Question 2

Fundamentalism and modernity

Answer 2

• Fundamentalism occurs where those who hold traditional orthodox beliefs which are threatened by modernity
• They feel the need to protect against modernity

Question 3

How does globalisation lead to Fundamentalism?

Answer 3

Giddens argues globalisation undermines traditional values e.g. sexuality and in a late modern society individuals are faced w/ uncertainty, and Fundamentalism provides certainty in an uncertain world.

Question 4

What is Cosmopolitanism?

Answer 4

A way of thinking that embraces modernity and keeping with todays globalised world -> tolerant of views of others

Question 5

Outline 2 responses to postmodernity [2]

Answer 5

Resistance identity: a defensive reaction of those who feel threated and retreat into fundamentalist communities

Project identity: response of those who are forward-looking and engage with social movements such as feminism and environmentalism

Question 6

Criticisms on fundamentalism and cosmopolitanism [2]

Answer 6

• They are ‘fixated on fundamentalism’ ignoring other important developments e.g. how globalisation is affecting non-fundamentalist religions such as Catholicism
• Giddens lumps all types of fundamentalism together

Question 7

Outline 2 sociological explanations for the rise of Fundamentalism [2]

Answer 7

Bruce:
Fundamentalism mainly applies to monotheistic religions (e.g. Christianity) because they have absolute truths and specific rules to follow as laid down in sacred text e.g. Quran, which means followers are more inclined to follow word-for-word as given by God.

Huntington:
Islamic fundamentalism is a result of a ‘clash of civilisations’ with the West, as globalisation has reduced the national identity people feel for their country, which creates a gap that religion has filled.
Globalisation increases contact between civilisations, increasing possibility of conflict
E: Orientalism as it stereotypes Eastern nations as ‘Other’/Untrustworthy

Question 8

What is cultural defence?

Answer 8

When a country/community uses religion to defend itself against an external threat - this is a consequence of a globalised world

Question 9

Outline 2 ways religion has been used as cultural defence [2]

Answer 9

Iran:
- Islam was used as a cultural defence to protect against Westernisation. The Shah of Iran was friendly with USA and extravagant with the country’s money, but in 1979 they got rid of him and Iran is now ruled by Islamic clerics

Poland:
- In 1980s Poland, the Roman Catholic Church was used as cultural defence against the Soviet Union, through which the Church supported the ‘solidarity’ shipyard workers in their strike. This became the catalyst for the downfall of the Soviet Union