Religion In A Global Context Flashcards
(10 cards)
What is globalisation
The idea that the world is becoming increasingly interconnected & that barriers are disappearing e.g. as a result of instantaneous communication systems, deregulation of trade, the creation of global markets & global media & culture
(Webb et al 2008)
Religion and economic development
Whilst many theorists argue that modernisation undermines religion, some sociologists claim religion may contribute to development.
However, this work is dated. For a more up to date version, we can look at India..
God and globalisation in India
Nanda (2008): Highlights how India is the worlds fastest growing economy. Even though India is becoming ‘modernised’, Hinduism is growing rather than fading out (as Secularisation theory would suggest) as India becomes more technologically advanced.
Globalisation has created a large and prosperous, scientifically educated middle class who work in IT, pharmaceuticals and biotechnology sectors which are all closely linked to the global economy! Nanda found that contrary to Secularisation Theory, these people actually remained religious with 30% of them stating that they had become more religious………
As such, Nanda suggests that it is Hinduism (the national religion of India which accounts for 85% of the population), which has helped (rather than prevented) this industrial growth i.e. religion & industrialisation are compatible & do not contradict each other.
Why are India so religious
Nanda suggests their religiosity is a result of their uncertainty towards their new found wealth in the contemporary globalised world. (She rejects poverty and existential security theory)
Traditionally Hinduism preaches against materialism & this conflicts with the fact that many Hindus are becoming increasingly wealthy due to globalisation.
Far from letting this conflict undermine their religion, Hinduism is adapting to the globalised world & embracing prosperity & self-advancement.
Contemporary Hindu Holy Men are preaching the message that desire is not bad & that material wealth is actually a sign that people are motivated, optimistic & hard-working.
Spiritually ‘balanced’
Many M/C Hindus pay for religious rituals & attend extravagant festivals which takes the guilt of materialism away – they are able to use their wealth to develop their religion.
M/C Hindus are being taught that consumerism can be ‘Spiritually Balanced’ by paying for the performance of religious rituals (particularly paying poor villagers to perform their rituals for them).
Hindu ultra-nationalism
In a Global Attitudes Survey 93% of Indians agreed with the following statement….
‘Our people are not perfect, but our culture is superior to others’.
This figure (93%) was higher than any other country!
Nanda notes that India’s success in the global market is increasingly attributed to the superiority of Hindu values. In this Hindu ultra-nationalism, the worship of Hindu gods has become the same as worshipping the nation of India, and Hinduism has become a civil religion.
How has Hinduism penetrated public-life?
Hinduism has also penetrated public life, so that the supposedly secular state is increasingly influenced by religion.
E.g: ‘Hindu sciences’ such as astrology are being taught as academic subjects in universities and used to supposedly predict natural disasters.
Meanwhile the Indian MOD is sponsoring development of weapons with magical powers mentioned in ancient Hindu texts and the health ministry is investing in the development and sale of cow urine (cows being sacred animals) as a cure for ailments from AIDS to TB.
Capitalism in East Asia
East Asia also acts a useful example of how Religion & the growing Global Economy go hand in hand. Countries such as China, South Korea, Singapore & Taiwan (the tiger economies) are all experiencing rapid economic growth in the Global Market.
Gordon Redding (1990) uses China as a particular example of how Confucianism (the national religion of China) encourages hard work, self-discipline, commitment to education & self-improvement.
These religious values act like Weber’s ‘Protestant (Calvinist) Ethic’ which ultimately promote economic development & capitalism.
Pentecostalism in Latin America
Berger (2003) Uses Latin America (Uruguay, Brazil, Argentina, Columbia, Chile, Ecuador, Venezuela & Peru) to show how religion is spurring on Global Economic Development.
Berger shows how Pentecostalism is spreading through Latin America stressing hard work, discipline, commitment etc. just like Weber’s ‘Protestant Ethic’.
Brazil for example is not developing as much as other South American countries as they lack resources even though Pentecostalism is spreading.
However: He agrees with Weber that ‘Religious Values ‘are not enough but both the ‘Normative Conditions’ & the ‘Material Conditions’ are required for economic development.
