"Jihad vs. McWorld: How Globalism and Tribalism Are
Reshaping the World" by Benjamin Barber (1995) describes
two mutually opposing historical forces that together threaten modern
democracy. Both Jihad and "McWorld" are the result of neoliberal
economy which creates pressure of identity and community. In "Jihad vs.
McWorld" Berber holds that these forces cannot be avoided. He therefore proposes
a way (he calls the confederal option) to satisfy them both while still keeping
the freedom democracy has to offer.
On the one hand of Barber's "Jihad vs. McWorld " stands the Islamic Jihad
(literally: struggle) which offers strong social connections and a sense of
identity at the cost of a closed off and intolerant society. Jihad according to
Barber relies on a holy war waged against and external threat (modern democracy
and globalization). This type of fundamentalism can lead to various types of
non-democratic forms of government. Jihad, according to Barber, seeks to retribalize
the world into mutually exclusive sects.
On the other hand of the equation we
have "McWorld" which is a form of non-democratic corporate globalization.
"McWorld" is a force that breaks down any form of boarder between
cultures and regions. Its ideology is opposed to the tribalizing Jihad, Open markets
and modern communication technology play and important part in
"McWorld". This is a much safer and economically rewarding option
compared to what Jihad has to offer, but "McWorld" also has its costs
such as limiting people's freedom.
Barber does not think that democracy
can fend off Jihad of McWorld completely. Barber argues that it (democracy) can
save itself by satisfying some of its adversaries' needs., this is what he
calls the "confederal option". The idea is to withdraw from the idea of
the large nation state into smaller communities that maintain a market that
extends the size of that of the nation state (that is, a global market between
local communities).
Related summaries:
Benedict Anderson - Imagined Communities
Roland Robertson on Globalization in "Glocalization: Time-Space and Homogeneity-Heterogeneity
Roland Robertson on Globalization in "Glocalization: Time-Space and Homogeneity-Heterogeneity
The End of History and the Last Man / Francis Fukuyama
End of History vs. Clash of Civilizations debate
End of History vs. Clash of Civilizations debate
