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Globalization Seminar @ Davidson

Musings from Wildcats

Modern Islam: Rooted in Western Influence

September 20, 2016 By romarshall

In chapter 52 of The Globalization Reader, Kurzman tells us “Islamist political platforms share significant planks with Western modernity.” (p.393) Many of the Islamic states are against the monarchies of traditional Islam and societies like the Saudi dynasty in Arabia even favor egalitarian meritocracy. Many of the practices of this new age in Islam try to reinvent the ideas surrounding traditional Islamists and impose a contemporary twist. Islamist such as Bin Laden, although a radical Islamist, has “combined traditional grievances such as injustice, corruption, oppression, and self-defense with contemporary demands such as economic development, human rights and national self-determination.” (p.393) Islamic states such as the Islamic Republic of Iran have tried to open itself up the global norms present in many of today’s society.

Although there were not many changes associated with these new global norms, I’d argue that many of the modern global norms are influenced directly or indirectly by Western Modernity. As Islamic states partake in these new norms they are being shaped by Western modernity. Also, many of the Islamist leaders that are the original influences of change have been inculcated with an education based in western ideologies. For example, important leaders such as “Hasan Turabi of the Sudan is a lawyer who was trained in Khartoum, London and Paris; Necmettin Erbakan of Turkey studied mechanical engineering in West Germany.” (p.392) No matter where you look it is impossible to not find the influence of western modernity within the Islamic shift towards modernity.

Filed Under: Religion and Globalization

ANT 341 examines recent theories of globalization from an anthropological perspective, with an emphasis on the transnational political, economic, and cultural structures that are transforming local societies throughout the world. Topics include transnational religions, popular culture, and global capitalism. Special attention is devoted to debates regarding power and cultural imperialism, popular culture, the impact of science and technology transfer, and diaspora ethnicity.


Eriberto P. Lozada Jr. is a Professor of Anthropology and Environmental Studies, and Director of the Center for Interdisciplinary Studies. more...
Fall 2016 Office Hours:
MWF 9:30-10:30am
TR 9:00-10:00am

office: Chambers B12
tel. 704-894-2035
erlozada [at] davidson.edu

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