Globalization is one of the mega-trends of the present day. It’s not easy
to define the term ‘globalization’ as we mostly use it to describe
economic, political as well as cultural processes and their effects.
Globalization is like a huge catchment area where different, separate
rivers of cultures form one stream. In the contemporary world, many
local cultures or economies do interweave, penetrate or adopt one
another; however, there appear lines separating all what is within the
main stream of global globalization, from what’s out of this stream.
Firstly, fundamental values, which can be common for all societies, for
instance, recognizing murder as very bad, basic concepts of good and
evil, universal morality. Secondly, elements common to civilized
societies, such as cities, literacy, etc., which distinguish them from
primitive communities. Thirdly, the beliefs, values and doctrines
accepted currently by many people from the circle of the Western
culture and by some people belonging to other circles of culture.
Huntington labels this as ‘Davos culture’. It is proved that this culture
brought many values into the world heritage, which can be perceived as
universal, and sometimes also as global ones.
All over the world, revival and animation of great religious systems,
especially of Islam which became a factor of social and political
significance, are being observed. Despite the visions of the new world
order, functioning on the basis of secular values, modern states,
international economy and general technological progress, religion
came back to a global discussion, thanks to the theses about a rift or
even a clash between large groups of people. For instance, Samuel P.
Huntington says that the main axis of the conflict between civilizations
will run between the Western and Islamic civilizations.
Study Notes by Aamir Mahar 2
Indeed, the process of revival and revitalization of Islam started in the
early 1970s. One of the effects of this renaissance is cultural revival,
which assumes a form of resistance against the universal or global
order, through contrasting it with own, different values based on Islam.
Religious revival movements constitute a strong counterweight for the
cultural domination of the West as their main assumptions are
fundamentally different from the assumptions and goals of
globalization.
On the one hand, an escape from, and marginalization of, the religion
are connected with the process of globalization. The religion has been
pushed aside to the private sphere, which, in case of Islam, is against its
basic guidelines. Fear of many communities, caused by the unification
pressure of the global culture, provides religion, especially its
traditionalistic and fundamental forms, with the power to fulfil one of
its social roles: expressing and strengthening the feelings of identity
with a group. On the other hand, there appear statements about
“de-privatization” and “re-politization” of religion: religions come back
from the private sphere to public and political life. There appear new
forms of “religious nationalism” with religion becoming a tool of
political and national interests.
So, what is the place of the great systems of beliefs in the “global
village” and what are possible scenarios of mutual relations of spiritual
traditions, which can exert an influence on the global society? The first
scenario assumes rivalry between religious systems for the global
leadership in the sphere of values. This exclusivism can lead to tensions
and intolerance in relations between the followers of individual
religions who, trying to defend their own identity, will close in their
own religion and culture. This may cause further development of
movements of fundamental nature.