Assess Sociological Explanations of the Relationship Between Globalisation and Religion

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Assess sociological explanations of the relationship between globalisation and religion 33 marks For secularisation theory, modernisation undermines religion. The importance of science and technology in economic development, and the rational worldview on which they depend, are seen as destroying belief in the supernatural. On the other hand, religion may contribute to development, as Weber argued in the case of the protestant ethic. More recently, sociologists have examined what role religion may play in development in today’s globalising world. Globalisation has brought rapid economic growth and has seen India become more important player on the world political stage. It has also brought rising prosperity to some – notably India’s new middle class. Meera Nanda’s 2008 book, god and globalisation, examines the role of Hinduism, the religion of 85% of the population, in legitimating both the rise of a new Hindu ‘ultra-nationalism’ and the prosperity of the Indian middle class. Globalisation has created a huge and prosperous, scientifically educated, urban middle class in India, working in IT, pharmaceuticals and biotechnology sectors closely tied into the global economy. As a result of this these are precisely the people whom secularisation theory predicts will be the first to abandon religion in favour of a secular worldview. The relationship between globalisation and religion differs depending on the country. In the UK it’s clear that people have come away from traditional religion causing secularisation due to globalisation and modernity. There is now so much technology it’s easier to spiritual shop and change religions when a more fashionable one comes out. People can now take on a religion more
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