Globalization is the complex means through which national resources become more internationally

mobile while national economies become increasingly interdependent and integrated. The beginning
of World War I ended the first era of globalization. Increasing protectionism led to falling trade values
that were further exacerbated by the Great Depression.

how various are media drives and forms of global integration

Technology, and increasingly media, has always driven globalization. core economic concepts were
changed by personal computing and high-speed Internet. Access to these two technological shifts
has allowed core-nation corporations to recruit workers in call centers. Technology drives
globalization, but what that means can be hard to decipher. While some economists see
technological advances leading to a more level playing field where anyone anywhere can be a global
contender, the reality is that opportunity still clusters in geographically advantaged areas. Still,
technological diffusion has led to the spread of more and more technology across borders into
peripheral and semi-peripheral nations. However, true technological global equality is a long way off.

explain the dynamics between local and global cultural production

The local recognizes its “localness” and develops self-consciousness as alocal through its reflection
in the global. In the contemporary“globalized” world, the identity of the local is reflected (back) to it by
the global. Then, the local embellishesthe identity it is reflected. Indeed, as in the case of individual
identity (Gallup 1985; Lacan 1977), for local cultural identities to form, presence of the other that
enables one to distinguish itself as an entity separate from others is required (Friedman 1994; King
1997). The other –which in the case of the contemporary globalized world is primarily the global –
plays the role of the reflecting mirror, both making one (the local culture) recognize its distinction as a
separate entity and providing it with the anchors for realizing aspects of its distinctness, indeed, its
identity.

how globalization affects religious practices and beliefs

Religion and globalisation have always shared a relation of struggle and conflict. Globalisation has
generally been linked with economic and political interdependence which ultimately has brought
people closer and effect of no event is isolated but is felt in far-off places too. It has shifted the
cultural build up of the world and led to formation of a ‘global culture’- a common minimum which is
accepted by all.

Globalisation stands for increased and daily contact while religions are becoming more self-conscious
for themselves as being the world religions. The basic tenets of globalisation stand against religious
parochialism. By diminishing the barriers between different cultures, globalisation lands religion in a
quagmire of conflicts which reinforce social identities as some do not accept the new realities and
turn to religion to rediscover their own identity. Religion provides a sense of belongingness to a group
in the world. Religion has stood the complexities and onslaught of the modern world and is seen to be
further intensified under the conditions of contemporary development.
Although some groups have made religion as a weapon to both integrate and terrorise masses,
generally people have become more tolerant of other religious beliefs and practices and have come
to associate all acts of terror as anti-religious.

In third world nations, where the vulnerable sections find themselves more marginalised by the forces
of globalisation, religion takes a prime welfare role and acts as a cultural protector for these sections.
Religion thus plays a social role by helping in social causes and successfully gets greater recognition.
Here it presents a direct challenge to globalization

brief explanation of relationship between religion and global conflict and conversely global peace

 No major religion has been exempt from complicity in violent conflict. Yet we need to beware of an
almost universal propensity to oversimplify the role that religion plays in international affairs. Religion
is not usually the sole or even primary cause of conflict.
 With so much emphasis on religion as a source of conflict, the role of religion as a force in
peacemaking is usually overlooked.
 Religious affiliation and conviction often motivates religious communities to advocate particular
peace-related government policies. Religious communities also directly oppose repression and
promote peace and reconciliation.
 Religious leaders and institutions can mediate in conflict situations, serve as a communication link
between opposing sides, and provide training in peacemaking methodologies. This form of religious
peacemaking garners less public attention but is growing in importance.
 Interfaith dialogue is another form of religious peacemaking. Rather than seeking to resolve a
particular conflict, it aims to defuse interfaith tensions that may cause future conflict or derive from
previous conflict. Interfaith dialogue is expanding even in places where interreligious tensions are
highest. Not infrequently, the most contentious interfaith relationships can provide the context for the
most meaningful and productive exchanges.
 Given religion’s importance as both a source of international conflict and a resource for
peacemaking, it is regrettable that the U.S. government is so ill equipped to handle religious issues
and relate to religious actors. If the U.S. government is to insert itself into international conflicts or
build deeper and more productive relationships with countries around the world, it needs to devise a
better strategy to effectively and respectfully engage with the religious realm.