Globalization and Identity: Cultural Diversity, Religion, and Citizenship

121 Pages·2006·2.096 MB·English

by  B. Jeannie Lum, Majid Tehranian

INTRODUCTION RH
LM CULTURE AND CONSUMPTION
INTRODUCTION RH
LM CULTURE AND CONSUMPTION
First published 2006 by Transaction Publishers
Published 2017 by Routledge
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Copyright © 2006 by Toda Institute for Global Peace and Policy Research.
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Contents
Peacenotes, by Majid Tehranian 1
Introduction, by B. Jeannie Lum 3
I. Civilization in the Global Age
The Dialogue or Clash of Civilizations, by Linda Groff 10
Citizenship in a Globalizing World, by Joseph A. Camilleri 17
Globalization for the Common Good, by Kamran Mofid 27
Rethinking Civilization: Communication and Terror in 32
the Global Village, by Majid Tehranian
II. Convergence in Global Cultures
Process Theology and Ecology in the Age of Globalization, by Christopher A. Leeds 37
Models of Global Culture, by Vladimir Korobov 45
Religious Plurality in Education, by Bharat Gupt 55
III. Divergence in Global Conflicts
Globalization as the Fuel of Religious and Ethnic Conflicts, 62
by Audrey E. Kitagawa
Turmoil in Babel, by Adelani F. Ogunrinade 70
Globalization and Religion on the Web, by Fred W. Riggs 82
News & Views
Call for Research Proposals 93
Honolulu Conference 94
Madrid Conference 95
Reforming or Transforming UN 96
Peace Poetry
“Requiem for the Buddhas of Bamiyan,” by Karen Kovacik 98
“Is World War III Upon Us, Or Is This Really Just a Game,” 100
by Genevieve Cora Fraser
In Memoriam
Andre Gunder Frank, by Barry Gills 103
Joseph Rotblat, by David Krieger 107
Booknotes 109

PEACENOTES
Peacenotes
Under the able editorship of Jeannie Lum, this volume of Peace & Policy is focusing on
globalization and identity. The chapter topics range from theoretical reflections to case
studies. They pose the problem, but they also point to possible solutions. All in all, they
suggest that in a globalizing world, a layering of identity from local to global is perhaps
the most prevalent and appropriate strategy. In such a strategy, the conventional mottos do
not make sense. “My country, or my tribe, or my religion, right or wrong” is out of
harmony with the realities of a globalizing world. Diasporas have increased physical,
social, and psychic mobility. They have often called for hybrid identities. Multiethnic or
religious societies, one trillion websites, countless email exchanges, direct satellite televi-
sion, short-wave radio, and global cellular phones have augmented global communica-
tion. To be insular is to be unaware of a world in fermentation.
In the first decade of the twenty-first century, globalization and identity have emerged
as the most critical challenges to world peace. State and opposition terrorism are being
fought under the dubious aegis of particular identities, religious or secular. Genocides in
Yugoslavia, Chechnya, Rwanda, Israel-Palestine, and Sudan have taken place in the name
of religion, ethnic cleansing, or competing nationalisms. However, commodity fetishism
has proven to be as powerful as identity fetishism. Globalization has whetted consumer
appetites. The consuming identities of those exposed to global advertising have sometimes
focused on the designer car, the clothing, or the perfume. In response to the rampant
consumption of the rich, the poor have often resorted to their cultural identities. Com-
modity and identity fetishism thus lay out the landscape of a globalizing world.
The articles in this issue promise the dawn of a new global civilization. They may
appear as too optimistic. But they have focused on the undercurrents of world system
change. On the surface, we are witnessing a dual process of globalization and tribalization.
But deeper down, out of the encounter of cultures and civilizations, a new form of con-
sciousness is emerging that understands global interdependence. Government institutions
may be lagging far behind such a new consciousness, which is understandable. Govern-
ments often defend the status quo. But cultural changes ultimately triumph. The pioneers
of a global consciousness are the people who dare to be different.
Majid Tehranian
August 14, 2005
1

INTRODUCTION
Introduction
by B. Jeannie Lum
B. Jeannie Lum is an associate professorof Philosophy of Education in the
Department of Educational Foundations, College of Education and a member of the
Spark M. Matsunaga Institute for Peace at the University of Hawai‘i at Mânoa.
On March 17-20, 2002, the Globalization, stitutes a meaningful life. The problematic
Regionalization, and Democratization for attaining a sense of global identity is in
Planning Conference (GRAD), jointly our ability to preserve the richness of hu-
sponsored by the Toda Institute and the man cultural diversity at all levels of local,
University of Hawai‘i Globalization regional, national, and global communica-
Research Center, was held at Magdalen tion and exchange.
College, Oxford University. Over the four We saw this as a Janus-faced dilemma
days, scholars, researchers, and clergymen whereby globalization could have both
from all over the world representing eight negative and positive consequences in its
major regions, engaged in discussion of a impact on the shaping of human identity. It
range of topics on global problems and was important for us also to examine our
divided into working groups that continued own group behavior by “walking the talk.”
for the next three years. Our team included Being and acting globally meant not en-
ten final participants from different forcing one particular view as dominant
nations—Australia, Canada, France, over another and not reducing our task to
Germany, India, Jamaica, Lithuania, Russia, one common theme, but retaining the com-
United Kingdom, and the United States. plexity and originality of each member’s
This volume of Peace & Policy ad- theoretical voice and concerns. Given our
dresses the overarching question, “What are different backgrounds, it was important to
the effects of globalization in the areas of manage the operations of the group in such
culture, ethnic diversity, religion and citi- a way that all members were heard. We
zenship in attaining a sense of global iden- talked about the multitude of disciplinary
tity?” In seeing each of these areas as critical perspectives and approaches in our profes-
aspects of human identity, it is impossible sions, and in some cases, our dissimilar
to speak singly about one without reference opinions about what we should produce as
to one or more of the others. Human iden- a group, what audiences were important to
tity evolves as a cultural phenomenon. At reach, and even the format in which our
the core of individual and collective group articles should be written. We hope we have
identities are philosophical and/or religious contributed to the literature that looks at
beliefs and values that define the perspec- this family of concepts in relationship to
tives that persons take in understanding their the problem of global identity and further
place in society, their relationship to them- inspired others to join in this conversation.
selves and others in their community, and We dedicate this volume in remembrance
importantly, their definitions of what con- of one of the members of our group, Jerry
3