Globalization and Islamic Fundamentalism

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Recommended: The rise of Islamic fundamentalism

The Al-Qaeda offshoot ISIS, has made its way through Iraq and Syria. This new terror campaign appears to have been rolled out with a decades old objective, which is wrought with violence, propaganda and destabilization. But what are the reasons behind these acts of terror and violence? How is it possible to stop terrorism? What is the future of the endless conflict between Islamic extremism and modernity? The last one is particularly burning, since it touches an issue, entwined in ever-lasting controversy, aggression and needless carnage - the issue of Islamic fundamentalism and its extreme manifestation - terrorism.

In my paper I argue that in its essence Islamic fundamentalism is a negation of the values, upheld by globalization, democracy, true Islam and modernity. There are several interconnected focal factors that render Islamic extremism incompatible with modern trends of development. The first and basic factor, always in the context of the history of Islam, is the theoretical foundation of fundamentalism. Also, another important issue is the rise of Islamic nationalism, which helps fundamentalism transform religious and cultural differences into an overt and brutal struggle against non-Muslim countries and their globalizing world. Of particular significance, however, is the poor economic development of Muslim states. Moreover, I believe it is the actual reason behind the violent outbreak of extremism. All these issues combine to form the idea of Islamic ideal versus reality, or the ever-increasing gap between modernity and the nature of fundamentalism.

In addition, I argue that poor economic and social conditions in Muslim countries are caused by improper government policies and deep social c...

... middle of paper ...

...://www.worldbank.org/wbi/mdf/mdf1/edecmen.htm>

Global Poverty Monitoring.

<http://www.worldbank.org/research/povmonitor/>

The Middle East and North Africa: An Overview.

<http://www.worldbank.org/html/extdr/offrep/mena/rov/>

United Nations Development Programme. Human Development Report 2001

<http://www.undp.org/hdro/highlights/statistics.html>

United States Senate. Extremist Movements and Their Threat to the United States. Washington: U.S. Government printing Office, 2000

<http://frwebgate.access.gpo.gov/cgi-bin/getdoc.cgi?dbname=106_senate_hearings&docid= f:61869.wais>

The Islamic World to 1600: The Rise of the Great Islamic Empires

<http://www.ucalgary.ca/applied_history/tutor/islam/empires/intro.html>

The New York Times; October 31, 2001

<www.nytimes.com/2001/10/31/business/worldbusiness/31TEXT.html?searchpv=past7>

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