"Religious fundamentalism and terrorism are products of globalisation. Discuss."
PLT3980: Issues in Global Politics
"Religious fundamentalism and terrorism are products of globalisation. Discuss."
Following evidence of a revitalisation in religious faith1 throughout the world, and a series of terrorist incidents purportedly motivated by religious fundamentalism, various commentators have argued globalisation has ushered in new forms of radical religious belief and expression and a unique form of contemporary terrorism. This essay contends that while various forms of religious belief and terrorism have been present in all human societies where congregation of groups has occurred, religious fundamentalism and the current examples of terrorism are distinctly modern phenomena intimately bound to the processes and consequences of globalisation. This essay will examine firstly how globalisation has acted as a catalyst for the growth in religious fundamentalism and a resultant rise in religiously justified violence, and secondly how the unequal experiences of globalisation has led to a rise in terrorist activity. Specifically, the notion of a perceived necessity for a reassertion of religiosity as a response to globalisation will be examined, particularly as a result of; the convergence and clash of beliefs and ideas; forces of secularism; the consequences of modernity and the anxieties associated with social disruption; and the issue of increased power convergence and a resultant increase in general powerlessness will be investigated. Expressions of religion, and political violence have been ever-present in society, and are generally reflective of that particular period of human relations; religious fundamentalism and contemporary terrorism thus, are the extreme expressions of the globalised world.
The notion of globalisation is somewhat undefined, it is not altogether new, but is becoming increasingly synonymous with the twentieth century. Simply put, globalisation is an ongoing trend whereby the world has – in many respects and
"Religious fundamentalism and terrorism are products of globalisation. Discuss."
Following evidence of a revitalisation in religious faith1 throughout the world, and a series of terrorist incidents purportedly motivated by religious fundamentalism, various commentators have argued globalisation has ushered in new forms of radical religious belief and expression and a unique form of contemporary terrorism. This essay contends that while various forms of religious belief and terrorism have been present in all human societies where congregation of groups has occurred, religious fundamentalism and the current examples of terrorism are distinctly modern phenomena intimately bound to the processes and consequences of globalisation. This essay will examine firstly how globalisation has acted as a catalyst for the growth in religious fundamentalism and a resultant rise in religiously justified violence, and secondly how the unequal experiences of globalisation has led to a rise in terrorist activity. Specifically, the notion of a perceived necessity for a reassertion of religiosity as a response to globalisation will be examined, particularly as a result of; the convergence and clash of beliefs and ideas; forces of secularism; the consequences of modernity and the anxieties associated with social disruption; and the issue of increased power convergence and a resultant increase in general powerlessness will be investigated. Expressions of religion, and political violence have been ever-present in society, and are generally reflective of that particular period of human relations; religious fundamentalism and contemporary terrorism thus, are the extreme expressions of the globalised world.
The notion of globalisation is somewhat undefined, it is not altogether new, but is becoming increasingly synonymous with the twentieth century. Simply put, globalisation is an ongoing trend whereby the world has – in many respects and