Giddens: Fundamentalists are those that seek to return to the basic of religion. They reject the changes brought by globalisation and social change. Fundamentalism is the opposite of cosmopolitanism. Cosmopolitanism is based on the reflexive thinking (tolerating other’s views, being open to new ideas, modifying your own beliefs in light of new information, not accepting prescribed ideas from a religious authority).
Bauman: Sees fundamentalism as a response to living in postmodernity. Postmodern society brings freedom of choice, uncertainty and a heightened awareness of risk. In this situation, some people embrace the new freedom but others are attracted to fundamentalism by its claims of absolute truth and certainty.
Castells: Distinguishes between two responses to postmodernity: Resistant identity, which is a defensive reaction of those who feel threatened and retreat into fundamentalist communities; and Project identity, which is the response of those who are forward looking and engage with social movements.
Bruce: Suggests that fundamentalism is found mainly in monotheistic religions which have less flexibility over the interpretation of their religious texts. Bruce also suggests that Western fundamentalism is caused by changes taking place within society (i.e. family diversity), but third world fundamentalism is caused by changes thrust upon society from the outside, for example the Iranian revolution.
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