Explain the rise of religious fundamentalism on a global scale. Include a discussion of the ways in which fundamentalism has been a response to globalization.

Question

Explain the rise of religious fundamentalism on a global scale. Include a discussion of the ways in which fundamentalism has been a response to globalization.

Answer 1

The rise of fundamentalism is a fascinating trend, especially since it contradicts what many social scientists were predicting just 30 years ago. These scientists believed that religion would gradually die out. However, we are clearly seeing the opposite in many places. There are a few reasons for the rise of fundamentalism worldwide.

1. Demographics. Simply put, members of fundamentalist groups have more children, on average, than the general population. So, some of the growth in these movements can be explained by generational growth, rather than conversion.
2. The rise of communication technologies on a global scale. Whereas before any group with an extreme ideology had to search far and wide for people who shared their same views, now these groups have access to the global population, and can find new followers with a click. Globalization favors those with more extreme ideologies because it trivializes the task of finding new members.
3. Globalization does not just transport people, money and goods. It also transports ideas. This includes ideas about morals, values, and laws. As new sets of values are imported along with new goods, there is often a backlash from members of a community who wish to preserve the status quo. Where before there was no need for a "movement", now that new ways of life have been proposed and are being considered in these places, people will organize to keep things as they are.

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