Fundamentalism & Modernity
- Created by: rebeccamellors
- Created on: 17-02-17 09:43
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- Fundamentalism & Modernity
- Modernity
- Davie (2013) argues, fundamentalism occurs where those who hold traditional beliefs & values are threatened by modernity & feel the need to defend themselves against it
- Fundamentalists are themselves products of modernity, as they are born out of a clash between modernity & traditional cultures
- Giddens (1999) argues 'fundamentalism is a product & reaction to globalisation, which undermines traditional social norms concerning the nuclear family, gender & sexuality
- In todays 'late modern' society, individual's are constantly faced with choice, uncertainty & risks
- The attraction of fundamentalism & its rigid beliefs is that it promises certainty in an uncertain world
- Davie (2013) argues, fundamentalism occurs where those who hold traditional beliefs & values are threatened by modernity & feel the need to defend themselves against it
- Cosmopolitanism
- Cosmopolitanism is a way of thinking that embraces modernity & is in keeping with today's globalising world
- Giddens compares fundamentalism with this
- Cosmopolitanism is tolerant of other views & open to new ideas, constantly reflecting on & modifying beliefs in the light on new information
- Require people to justify their views by use of rational arguments & evidence rather than appealing to scared texts
- One's lifestyle is seen as personal choice
- Emphasises pursuit of personal meaning & self-improvement rather than submission to authority
- Responses to Postmodernity
- Bauman (1992) sees fundamentalism as response to living in postmodernity
- Postmodernity brings freedom of choice, uncertainty & heightened awareness of risk - undermining tradition
- Castells (2010) distinguishes between 2 responses to postmodernity
- Resistance identity - defensive reaction of those who feel threatened & retreat into fundamentalists communities
- Project identity - responses of those who are forward-looking & engage with social movements
- Bauman (1992) sees fundamentalism as response to living in postmodernity
- Criticisms
- Beckford (2011) criticises on several grounds
- They distinguish too sharply, ignoring 'hybrid' movements
- Ignore other important developments (e.g. affects of globalisation)
- Giddens lumps all types of fundamentalism together, ignoring differences between them
- Jeff Haynes (1998) argues we shouldn't focus narrowly on idea that Islamic fundamentalism is a reaction against globalisation
- Beckford (2011) criticises on several grounds
- Modernity
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