Assess sociological explanations of the relationship between globalisation and religion. (33 marks)

Introduction: Define globalisation What is globalisation? ANSWER QUESTION, YOU WILL EXPAND LATER ON:  Globalisation has had positive and negative impacts on society (increasing productivity and material wealth of those affected, increased religious pluralism and choice, brought the world closer together to provide better services to impoverished countries) (has increased conflict, fundamentalism, clash of civilisations, postmodernity) Thinkers: Weber (social action theorist) - Calvinists benefitted economically from their religion (from their work ethic) Nanda globalisation has lead to increased productivity and economic gain from religion in places like India - take advantage of the global economy Especially after the westernisation that brings internal secularisation - modernisation and changing of views helps them become more open to economic change AO2: It’s a bit simplistic - these countries have access to resources, and so it may be nothing to do with religion - religion doesn’t enable the progress, but resources enable the religion (cheap labour, natural resources) Not everyone benefits from the success - in the inequality in the CASTE system and in the ruling/working classes there are clear disparities in the amount of benefit people receive (next to huge successful cities in India are awful inhumane “slums”) Postmodernity More choice and religious pluralism gives the element of freedom and choice and the opening of the spiritual marketplace Easternisation of religion in the western world's leads to NAMs AO2: Globalisation therefore speeds up and contributes to secularisation and the watering down of religions - leading to loss and dilution of strong culture and ethnicity and identities It also leads it to lose its power and the ability to claim monopoly of the truth (no social control, or causing of social solidarity) Functionalism - it increases opportunities for religious conflicts - religious pluralism leads to loss of collective conscience and this is a huge destabilising force - social solidarity can be lost and conflict will ensue