WEEK 7 Sovereignty, considered to be the enabling concept of world
politics, whereby nation-states possess authority not only
GLOBAL DIVIDES: THE NORTH AND SOUTH
DEFINITION: The North-South Divide(or Rich-Poor Divide) is
the socio-economic and political division that exists between
the wealthy developed countries, known collectively as “the
North,” and the poorer developing countries (least developed
countries), or “the South.”Generally, definitions of the Global
Northinclude the United States, Canada, Europe, developed
parts of Asia (the Four Asian Tigers, Japan, Macau, Brunei and
Israel) as well as Australia and New Zealand.The Global
Southis made up of Africa, Latin America, and developing Asia
including the Middle East. The North is home to all the
members of the G8 and to four of the five permanent members
of the United Nations Security Council.
DIFFERENCES BETWEEN THE GLOBAL NORTH
AND THE GLOBAL SOUTH
The North mostly covers the West and the First World, along
with much of the Second World, while the South largely
corresponds with the Third World. While the North may be
defined as the richer, more developed region and the South as
the poorer, less developed region, many more factors
differentiate between the two global areas. 95% of the North
has enough food and shelter. The Global South "lacks
appropriate technology, it has no political stability, the
economies are disarticulated, and their foreign exchange
earnings depend on primary product exports. In economic
terms, the North—with one quarter of the world population—
controls four-fifths of the income earned anywhere in the world.
90% of the manufacturing industries are owned by and located
in the North. Inversely, the South—with three quarters of the
world populations—has access to one-fifth of the world income.
As nations become economically developed, they may become
part of the "North", regardless of geographical location;
similarly, any nations that do not qualify for "developed" status
are in effect deemed to be part of the "South".
CHALLENGES OF THE NORTH AND THE SOUTH DIVIDE
The division between the global North and South is the
greatest challenge to global governance. The contrast in
economic welfare, political stability, and culture among states
creates many dilemmas for the international community. The
economic differences between highly developed economies
and the rest of the world deter cooperation. In addition, social
differences between North and South create cultural clashes
that breed violence and add difficulty to forming international
norms. Moreover, the political weakness of some states in the
global South creates security dilemmas and keeps global
governance initiatives away from success. The international
order is skewed in favor of the global North and serves to
empower them. However, international leaders can solve these
issues by promoting global equity. For global governance to
achieve its fullest potential, the world must first address the
inequality of states.
BASIC CONCEPTS FOR GLOBAL RELATIONS
Nation-State, the primary or fundamental unit in IR; a political
entity within a defined territorial area possessing legal and
political authority over that area.
National Interest, hose elements constituting a nation's most
vital needs and objectives, including such factors of self-
preservation, independence, sovereignty, territorial integrity,
military security, and economic well-being.
within their own territorial entities but possess membership in
the international community.
Balance of Power, a term used in various ways, but the
traditional concept involves creating/maintaining an equilibrium
in the international order so that one nation/alliance does not
become preponderant over others.
Bipolar, a world political system in which power is
concentrated in two power centers.
Unilateral, a national acting on its own, independently, in the
pursuit of its foreign policy objectives, as opposed to a bilateral
or multilateral approach.
Multilateral, relationships among more than two states of other
international actors for the purpose of collective action.
Hegemony, preponderant influence or dominance of one
nation (or group) over other.
Interdependence, the increasing interrelationship and mutual
dependence among nations, especially in an economic sense.
Geopolitics, the use of geography as an element of power;
theories and concepts emphasizing location, size, and
geographic factors as primary influences in IR.
Imperialism, a policy or course of action that through which a
state imposes control over others; identified with the acquisition
of colonies or colonial authority.
Diplomacy, the range of actions taken by a nation to represent
and pursue its interests.
Weapons of mass destruction, generally deemed to be
nuclear weapons with massive destructive capabilities but may
also include exceptionally devastating conventional arms as
weak as certain biological and chemical weapons.
International Political Economy, study of the politics/policies
of trade, monetary and other economic relations among
nations and their connection to transnational forces.
Just war doctrine, moral criteria identifying when a 'just war'
may be undertaken and how it should be fought.
Free trade, the flow of goods and services across national
boundaries unimpeded by tariffs or other restrictions.
Cartel, an association of producers or consumers (or both) of a
certain product, formed for the purpose of manipulating the
price on the world market.
Mercantilism, the economic theory and political ideology
opposed to free trade; it shares with the realism belief that
each state must protect its own interests without seeking
mutual gains through international organizations and
agreement.
Fascism, an authoritarian and/or totalitarian political system,
often based on a corporate state and centering around a
powerful supreme leader; usually emphasizing militarism and
nationalism and characterized by regimentation, propaganda,
and prejudice.
Clash of civilizations, thesis put forward by Samuel
Huntington that argues that past and future global conflicts can
be traced along the fault lines between the nine major world
civilizations.
Intellectual Property Rights, rights of creators of books, films,
computer software, and similar product to receive royalties
when their products are sold.
Sustainable Development, economic development
approaches based in long-term considerations; meeting current
needs without destroying resources that will be needed in the
future.
control by a small but alien community within a nation. It is a
skillful and determined enemy, it appears in many guises.
CONCLUSIONS:
1. The south continues to be globalized.
2. The global south has provided models of resistance for the
world.
3. As global problems intensify; it becomes more and more
necessary for people in the north to support alternatives from
the south.
4. Emphasis on the state and interstate politics remains
politically and analytically relevant most especially in
addressing global inequalities.

LENSES/THEORIES OF INTERNATIONLA RELATIONS

International relations theories can help us understand the way
the international systems work, as well as how nations engage WEEK 8
with each other and view the world. By studying the following ASIAN REGIONALISM
key international theories, professionals in the field can better
discern the motivations and goals driving policy decisions
REGIONALISM AND REGIONALIZATION
worldwide.
•Region: a group of countries in the same geographically
specified area
Realism, this theory states that a nation’s foremost interest
should be self-preservation and that continually gaining power
•Regionalization: is the “societal integration and the often-
should always be a social, economic, and political imperative.
undirected process of social and economic interaction
Liberalism, also called “liberal internationalism,” liberalism is
•Regionalism is ”the formal process of intergovernmental
based on the belief that the current global system is capable of
collaboration between two or more states. Regionalism is the
engendering a peaceful world order. Rather than relying on
set of conscious activities carried out by states within a region
direct force, such as military action, liberalism places an
to cooperate while regionalization is a less conscious process
emphasis on international cooperation as a means of furthering
which is the outcome of these states policies.
each nation’s respective interests.
•Globalization: A term used to explain, justify, and anticipate
Constructivism, Constructivism rests on the notion that rather
the rapid expansion and intensification of social relations
than the outright pursuit of material interests, it is a nation’s
across world time and space (Steger, 2013)
belief systems—historical, cultural and social —that explain its
foreign policy efforts and behavior.
REGIONS: HOW THEY FORM
How can places be described or compared? How can the
Marxism, A theory that closely analyzes social classes, aims
Earth be divided into regions for study?
to dismantle the capitalist structure of the international system,
as it states that capitalism is no longer practically sustainable in
A region is an area that includes several places--all of which
the modern world. Marx believed that private property should
have something in common. It is an area united by shared
be replaced by cooperative ownership, with the emphasis
characteristics. Geographers categorize regions in two basic
placed entirely on satisfying human needs for consumption,
ways: physical and cultural. Physical regions are defined by
rather than creating private profit. Under an ideal socialist
landform (continents and mountain ranges), climate, soil, and
international regime, societies would work together to ensure
natural vegetation. Cultural regions are distinguished by such
that basic human needs were met on a global scale.
traits as language, politics, religion, economics, and industry.
Feminism, Gender issues are a significant concern within
CHARACTERISTICS OF REGIONS
global politics, and feminism as an international relations
Physical Regions
theory seeks to regulate the power derived from (or denied on
Physical regions are units of physical space that are similar in
the basis of) an individual’s gender. The significance of
their natural characteristics. Characteristics that define physical
feminism in international relations is evidenced by the role
regions can include landforms, types of vegetation, climate, or
women play in promoting more just and fair international
other natural features.
relations policies.
Cultural Regions
Post Modernism, the postmodernism paradigm believes in the
Cultural regions are units of physical space defined by people
arbitrary nature of modernity. It subscribes to the notion that
who share cultural traits like religion, language, identity, or
the existing arrangements were merely created by human
even food preferences.
beings and that what is conceived to be the truth is in the
actual sense a “choice” made by a predecessor (Burchill &
Economic Regions
Linklater, 2009). That is, it denies the notion of objective truth.
Economic regions are those physical spaces determined by
economic interactions. In many countries, border zones are
CHALLENGES TO THE GLOBAL ORDER
important economic regions where lots of trade occurs. On a
Lenin - Capitalism’s strength is premised on the creation of
larger scale, many countries around the world have created
new markets via imperialism.
economic regions called economic blocs; these are a group of
countries that act as a unit when dealing with the global
Sukarno – Colonialism has also its modern dress, in the form
market.
of economic control, intellectual control, and actual physical
Political Regions
Finally, we can also identify political regions, or spaces that
share common ideas about political ideologies, the reach of
laws, or political power. In a large sense, the countries that
share ideas about democracies could be considered a political
region of the world of authority.
ADVANTAGES and DISADVANTAGES
In most of the world, such voluntary regionalism has become
an important fact of political life. Basically, regionalism from
below means that countries in a geographical area cooperate
either for specific purposes or general mutual benefit,
especially involving economic cooperation and peacekeeping.
Gains in Trade
Regionalism encourages cooperation and partnerships. Trade
agreements that open borders allow a country with a
particularly strong industry, like wool production, to sell its
goods to an even bigger market outside of the country of origin.
This leads to monetary gains for countries involved, through
more profits for the country of origin and through cheaper
products for the importing country.
Economies of Scale
Regional integration agreements expand the market for goods
and therefore allow companies, factories, and industries to
produce more of their goods and sell it to a bigger market. This
creates something called economies of scale, where the per-
unit price of producing a good decrease as the total quantity of
that good's production increases. Fewer trade barriers also
allow increased competition, which in turn causes less-
productive companies within a particular industry to close. This
is an overall net positive, because it leads to greater
productivity within an industry, because only the companies
that produce a good the most quickly and efficiently survive
amid increased competition.
Limited Fiscal Capabilities
Some regional integration agreements that involve the creation
of a common currency - most notably the European Union's -
lead to fiscal crises. Without regional integration, individual
countries cannot control the supply of their own currency to suit
the nation's economic conditions. When a higher entity controls
that currency - as is the case with the EU's euro - individual
countries have no power to vary the strength of their currency
when their economy weakens. This occurred when Greece's
national finances were very weak, and its economy suffered. If
it could have printed more currency to pay its bills, the
country's financial situation would not have been as weak. The
European Union, however, controlled the country's currency,
which left it little power to fix its own economy.
Cultural Centralization
While regionalism puts regional community on the map so
everyone will know where they are and, in many ways, who
and what we they are, still regional integration has a final non-
economic disadvantage. Especially strong integration - like the
European Union - can lead to the loss of unique minority
cultures within a region. The European Union has a series of
languages that it deems to be the official languages of the EU
government. These do not include minority languages spoken
by remote communities in Europe: Welsh, Breton, Frisian,
Retoromanic, Occitan and others. These languages in turn get
little protection from the state, and reduced barriers to
movement across countries within the EU leads people toward
speaking only "major" languages, such as Spanish, French,
and German.
FACTORS LEADING TO GREATER INTEGRATION OF THE
ASIAN REGION:
The entire world is moving towards integration, it is inevitable.
But a regional partnership is the first step, we can see this in
the EUROPEAN UNION, AFRICAN UNION, UNION OF
SOUTH AMERICAN NATIONS, and there is more on the way.
In Asia, the Southeast Asian countries have already formed
ASEAN (ASSOCIATION OF SOUTHEAST ASIAN NATIONS.
This regional power block appears to work fine, the member
states fit very well together because of the following factors:
1. Mutual benefit - when it comes to trade, these nations can
readily supply each other’s needs.
2. Mutual goals
3. Similar culture - the people of this region are generally
alike in appearance, temperament which is seemingly
peaceful. They tend to get along quite well even on an
individual level.
4. Similar security needs - aside from small, localized rebels,
this association needs only to contend with foreign-supported
terrorist groups which are usually handled well.
The Asian region extends beyond the territories of the ASEAN
member nations. The northern Asian countries like Japan,
Taiwan, North Korea, and South Korea do not get along and
appears to distrust each other. Of course, the invisible walls
between these nations will fall someday, and hopefully, they
will realize the benefit of integration with regional AUTO.
WEEK 9
GLOBALIZATION THRU MEDIA
GLOBAL MEDIA
Global communication is the term used to describe
ways to connect, share, relate and mobilize across
geographic, political, economic, social, and cultural
divides. In a globalized world, effective communication
is a necessity. When friends, relatives, and colleagues
need to reach all corners of the world, it is easy to see
the importance of global communications in the world
today.
Most common media today
The leading social networks are regularly available in
multiple languages and enable users to connect with
friends or people across geographical, political, or
economic borders. Approximately 2 billion internet
users are using social networks and these figures are
still expected to grow as mobile device usage and
mobile social networks increasingly gain traction. The
most popular social networks usually display a high
number of user accounts or strong user engagement.
For example, market leader Facebook was the first
social network to surpass 1 billion monthly active users,
whereas recent newcomer Pinterest was the fastest
independently launched site to reach 10 million unique
monthly visitors. The majority of social networks with
more than 100 million users originated in the United
States, but European services like VK or Chinese social
networks Ozone and Renren have also garnered
mainstream appeal in their areas due to local context
and content. Social network usage by consumers is
highly diverse: platforms such as Facebook or Google+
are highly focused on exchanges between friends and
family and are constantly pushing interaction through
features like photo or status sharing and social games.
Other social networks like Tumblr or Twitter are all
about rapid communication and are aptly termed
microblogs. Some social networks focus on community;
others highlight and display user-generated content.
Media’s Role in the Globalization Process
The media technologies are intended to reach a large audience
by mass communication. Today the media play a key role in
enhancing globalization. The important role in globalization
process has Internet, which connects all the countries around
the world. Globalization is a process by which various
cultures, societies, and economies through a global network of
trade and communication become integrated in all respects.
Media refers to the different means of communication like
radio, television, internet etc. It plays an important role in
shaping human mind. Mass media is a section of the media
determined to reach a greater audience. Most globalization
theorists believe that media has played an important role in
acceleration of globalization. With the increase in the
importance of economic, cultural, and technological integration
between countries, it has a great impact on our society’s
personal lives. It is because of globalization that today there is
an increased access to a broad range of media. (Impact of
Globalization on Media).
Influences of Globalization in Media
Globalization has a great influence on the media and further its
impact on us. The most visible effect of globalization is
widespread communication. The introduction of newspapers,
magazine, internet, and TV has immensely helped to spread
information and has helped people to come together from all
over the world. The impact of globalization on media has its
own advantages and disadvantages but however the
advantages are much more than the disadvantages. As
mentioned above one can see that the process of globalization
has led to opening of people mind towards not just the walls
within which they stay but also be aware of what is happening
around the world. Ever since mass media came into existence
companies have used this to communicate to let a large no. of
people aware about their products. On the other hand, even
the people watching it or reading about it can gain maximum
benefit as with the help of media they will be able to decipher
between good or bad as per their requirements.
How media works in Globalization:
Role of internet in the media globalization
In political field, internet serves as a medium to connect the
media and the viewers. A lot of people are unable to go
through the newspapers every day because of either busy
schedule or ignorance or because of travelling. Therefore,
people read about the elections about the various political
issues through the internet. The role of internet has a lot to
contribute to the economical aspect or impact of the media.
With the share market and the online trading and banking
facilities people have started shifting from the conventional
ways of doing things to this modern easier and hustle-free
method.
The role of internet in the cultural and traditional aspect is quite
prominent. Globalization has an immense effect on the cultures
of the different countries. It has always had a very deep impact
on the cultural identity. The free flow of information, speedy
progress in the field of technology, transportation and
communication has converted this world into a “global village”.
The reductions in costs and better facilities and variety of
choices have changed the tastes of individual and societies
leading to a stronger integration. The use of internet through
the media provides an intermix and exchange of ideas and
thoughts between countries.
Role of Television in the Media Globalization
The television acts as an eye opener to the viewers. The
impact is progressive on the society. In today’s world almost
every house has access to television and over the years the
accessibility has increased immensely. United Kingdom tops
the list with an average television rate of 28 hours per person
per week.
When the press media had not come into picture, people used
to communicate by writing letters and sending them through
direct mails. The beginning of press media came as an
information revolution. This press media has become a source
for promoting, projecting, and supporting the process of
providing information. It assists the journalists in networking
and the globalization has led to revolution of news circulation,
printing, editing and reportage.
It is because of globalization that the spread and exchange of
news becomes possible which leads to people of one country
knowing not just about the news within their own country but
aware about international news as well. Therefore,
globalization has led to the timely processing and distribution of
information.
The role of the press media is diverse, and it focuses on all the
issues concerning out daily lives and well-being. It plays role in
educating the people on political parties, international
happenings, entertainment glamorous celebrity gossip and
sport events. After the press media there was the discovery of
radio and television. This led to a different kind of revolution as
press media restricted one to just read but radio and television
appealed to another sense as it had both visual and audio
sense. A recent poll states that about 59% of America’s
population obtains the world news on television out of which
37% is through cable and 22%through broadcast. The younger
generations watch television regularly and there are points in
the year when they watch it more than the average.
In terms of political aspects, the television has a lot to add to.
The viewers can be made aware of the political issues
sensitive topics concerning the nation. The television can
provide its viewers with important facts and information
concerning the democracy and the political system which can
help us make better decisions. At the same time, it gives us the
overall picture of what is happening in the rest of the world. A
lot of can be understood and adopted through movies as well.
Movies depict the various issues of the society and politics and
it greatly influences the viewers and a lot of the time leaves
them thinking about the social and political issues and acts as
an eye-opener.
The economical aspect is highlighted by the television through
advertisements and the news channels giving updates on the
share market, brokers, and stocks. The advertisement in a way
makes us consumers and helps to make us aware of all the
suitable options available for us in the market. This is not just
restricted to advertisements of clothing or grocery but at the
same time about pension plans and banks. In fact, with
television, one needn’t always go to the stock markets or keep
waiting for the newspaper for the stock conditions but can keep
oneself updated with the television news channels.
The Cultural and traditional issues are focused by the
television through movies, serials, reality shows and
advertisements.
Role of Radio in the Media Globalization
Radio is one of the easiest and cheapest media source. It is
easily available in most part of the country. The biggest
advantage of the radio as a means of media globalization is
that it can be understood by even an illiterate person and can
cater to a larger number of people. Moreover, it has a greater
impact on the rural as they can connect to the radio easily.
Therefore, the importance of radio in the society is
indispensable. The radio was one of the oldest means of
spreading information amongst the people. Be it a cricket
match or songs or selections people’s ears used to be stuck to
the radio to keep themselves aware of things around them.
Most people in today’s generation are not regular listeners
to the radio unless they listen to it for music on their way to
work. The use of radio amongst them is now restricted only to
music and that has also reduced remarkably because of
technological advancements like I pods and music phones.
In the political and economic aspects, the role of radio is
slow and steady. However, in the rural areas it has a great
impact. The rural people are greatly influenced by the news
and information shared by the media through radio. In fact,
this helps them to understand the political system and the
advertisements make them aware about the various products.
Radio in today’s world is a platform for advertisement. In fact,
it generates a lot of income and adds to the economy of the
media. It provides the listeners with enumerable options
available in the market but at the same time highlights the ill
issues of the societies and methods to eradicate them.
Radio also provides a platform for the cultural and
traditional exchange. For example, the radio channels
provide music of different parts of the world and hence this
leads to one nation understanding the music of the other.
Music reflects the culture and the tradition of the area to a large
extent.
Globalization in the media has got some negative aspects to it
but however the advantages are way more and therefore there
is a remarkable progress in development in all economic,
social, political, cultural, and traditional aspects.
The limitations of Globalization:
1. Economic liberalization
2. Effect on income disparity
3. Effect on disease(health)
4. Effect on the environmental degradation
Media has always played an important role in our society and
for a long time it remained one of the methods of controlling
people and their recreational time. (The Role of Media in the
Society) The media hence provides different types of
information indifferent ways in the form of newspaper, internet,
television, magazine, radio etc. In fact, it is a very essential and
simplified way to inform or simply to entertain the audience.
Just by sitting at home one can get the entire news of the world
by any medium like radio, tv or internet, this is possible only
because of globalization. Globalization in media has also made
us aware about the economical and political conditions of a
particular country but also provides us with entertainment of all
sorts.
WEEK 10
GLOBALIZATION FOR RELIGION
Define Religion
1. A set of beliefs concerning the cause, nature, and purpose
of the universe, especially when considered as the creation of
a superhuman agency or agencies, usually involving
devotional and ritual observances, and often containing a
moral code governing the conduct of human affairs.
2. A specific fundamental set of beliefs and practices generally
agreed upon by several persons or sects: the Christian
religion; the Buddhist religion.
3. The body of persons adhering to a particular set of beliefs
and practices.
World Religions and its Members
1. Hinduism and its beliefs
Hindu’s worship one being of ultimate oneness (Brahman)
through infinite representations of gods and goddesses. These
various deities become incarnate within idols, temples, gurus,
rivers, animals, etc. Hindus believe their position in this present
life was determined by their actions in a previous life. Hinduism
therefore provides a possible explanation for suffering and evil
in this life. If a person’s behavior before was evil, they might
justifiably experience tremendous hardships in this life. Pain,
disease, poverty, or a disaster like a flood is deserved by that
person because of their own evil actions, usually from a
previous lifetime. A Hindu's goal is to become free from the law
of karma...to be free from continuous reincarnations. Only the
soul matters which will one day be free of the cycle of rebirths
and be at rest.
2. Buddhism and its beliefs
Buddhists do not believe in any God. They do not worship any
gods or God. People outside of Buddhism often think that
Buddhists worship the Buddha. However, the Buddha
(Siddhartha Gautama) never claimed to be divine, but
rather he is viewed by Buddhists as having attained what
they are also striving to attain, which is spiritual
enlightenment and, with it, freedom from the continuous cycle
of life and death.
3.New Age Spirituality and its beliefs
New Age Spirituality promotes the development of the person's
own power or divinity. When referring to deity, a follower of
this type of spirituality is not talking about a transcendent,
personal God who created the universe, but is referring to a
higher consciousness within themselves. A person
pursuing spiritual development would see themselves as deity,
the cosmos, and the universe. In fact, everything that the
person sees, hears, feels or imagines is to be considered
divine.
4. Islam and its beliefs
Muslims believe there is the one almighty God, named Allah,
who is infinitely superior to and transcendent from humankind.
Allah is viewed as the creator of the universe and the
source of all good and all evil. Everything that happens is
Allah's will. He is a powerful and strict judge, who will be
merciful toward followers depending on the sufficiency of their
life's good works and religious devotion.
5. Christianity and its beliefs
Christians believe in one eternal God who is creator of all that
is. He is viewed as a loving God who offers everyone a
personal relationship with himself now in this life. In his life on
Earth, Jesus Christ did not identify himself as a prophet
pointing to God or as a teacher of enlightenment. Rather,
Jesus claimed to be God in human form. He performed
miracles, forgave people of their sin, and said that anyone
who believed in him would have eternal life.
How distinct are these major religions?
1. Hindus acknowledge multitudes of gods and
goddesses.
2. Buddhists say there is no deity.
3. New Age Spirituality followers believe they are God.
4. Muslims believe in a powerful but unknowable God.
5. Christians believe a loving God who created us to know
him.
Religion in Global Conflict
Religious ideas, values, symbols, and rites relate to deep
issues of existence, it should not be surprising when religion
enters the picture in times of crisis. The era of globalization
brought with it 3 enormous problems, namely:
1. Identity
2. Accountability
3. Security
Religion provides answer to these problems:
1. It provides a sense of identity.
2. Traditional religious leadership provides a sense of
accountability.
3. Religion offers a sense of security.
Effects of globalization on religion
There has been a counter reaction to globalization which has
taken the form of increasing nationalism and cultural
retrenchment. This occurs in countries where liberal western
culture has challenged traditional religious and cultural
sensibilities. Examples include Islamic fanaticism and a rise of
religious fundamentalism (Christian, Muslim, and Hindu.)in
many countries, including the U.S. Additionally, this rise in
nationalism has caused pushback again international trade
agreements, the movement of labor and increasing racism
stoked by security concerns.
The rise of fundamentalism and its leveraging for political
purposes i.e., ISIS has caused widespread conflict across
large parts of the world. This is causing another diaspora of
people fleeing from conflict zones into areas that are perceived
as ‘safer’. These movements of people further compound the
rise of nationalist xeno-phobic movements as people feel
culturally threatened and physically less secure.
So, the effects on religion of globalization can be seen in
the following areas:
1. Rising religious fundamentalism as people feel culturally
threatened by an influx of ‘strange’ cultural factors resulting
from the increasingly multicultural societies triggered by
globalization.
2. Conversely, the movement of people and information
across national borders increases the rate of social and
cultural liberalization resulting in potential loosening of
traditional religious structures.
3. The rise of nationalism as a counter pressure to
globalization may put pressure on ethnic/religious diversity in
some countries. Particularly, countries that do not have long
histories of multiculturalism or where there has been historical
conflict between ethnic/religious groups that had been
suppressed due to the rise of globalization.
4. Same cause as #2 above, but different effect. The ease of
information flow also allows the rapid movement of religious
proselytizing across the world. So, the converts to regionally
non-traditional religions i.e., Mormonism and Fundamentalist
Christianity in Latin America have increased dramatically.
Since globalization, according to many scholars, is aimed at
the hybridization of the world cultures around the pattern of the
Western culture; and since it entails liberal values and norms,
religion (particularly Islam) constitutes a challenge to it. This is
because Islam’s norms and values are incompatible with
the liberal values of globalization.
Challenge of religion
Though religion is strengthened and fortified by globalization, it
represents a challenge to its (globalization’s) hybridizing
effects. Religion seeks to assert its identity in the light of
globalization. As a result, different religious identities come to
the fore and assert themselves. Such assertions of religious
identities constitute a defensive reaction to globalization.
Scholte, in this respect, maintains that “At the same time as
being pursued through global channels, assertions of religious
identity have, like nationalist strivings, often also been partly a
defensive reaction to globalization’’.
Globalization is associated, as an American or a Western
project, with westernization and Americanization. The
dominance and hegemony exerted by these two processes,
particularly on the Third World countries, makes religions-
related cultures and identities take defensive measures to
protect themselves. In this respect, Islam takes caution and
resists the encroachment of globalization forces on its cultures
and livelihoods in many ways.
Islam cannot contribute to the hybridizing consequences of
globalization not only because it is always resistant to and
defiant of globalization but also because the Islamic culture
and identity in general are incompatible with the norms and the
values that are related to globalization and to other distinct
religions (such as Christianity, Judaism, etc.). It has been
difficult for religion to cope with values that accompany
globalization like liberalism, consumerism, rationalism, etc.
Such phenomena advocate scientism and secularism.
Islamic norms and values contradict those advocated by
globalization. As Anoushiravan Ehteshami points out,
“Globalization is not only seen as a rival of Islamic ways, but
also as an alien force divorced from Muslim realities. Stressing
the negative impact of the loose morals of Western life is a
daily feature of airwaves in the Middle East.”
For Muslims, globalization is a source of the loose Western
morals, according to the writer. The imperialist aspirations of
globalization and its incompatibility with Islam make the former
completely alien to the Muslim realities. In this respect, the
leading Islamic scholar, Salim Al-Awwa, maintains, as
paraphrased by Ehteshami, that globalization is invasion.
Since it is a cultural construct at its heart and its meaning is the
Western discourse, Al-Awwa adds, promoting and engaging
with it on the part of Muslims is like accepting and promoting
Western cultural values and their dominance.

To put it in other words, while religion takes caution against the

norms and the values related to globalization, it challenges the
latter since it (religion) does not approve its hybridizing effects.

The idea of de-hybridizing effects of religion is approved also

by Samuel Huntington Clash Theory which maintains that such
de-hybridizing upshots spring also from the religious
partitioning and clashes.