Religion, Globalization and Political Culture in the Third World

Abstract

This unique focus on the relationship between religion and political culture in the Third World uses a comparative and thematic approach. Specific issues of religion-politics interaction in the Third World in recent times include: the rise of Islamic fundamentalist groups throughout the Middle East and otherparts of the Muslim world; the political effects of the decline of Catholicism and the rapid growth of Protestant evangical sects in Latin America; communcal conflict between Hindu nationalist groups, and the politicization of Buddhism in South East Asia. The common effect of such developments is to challenge existing forms of relationship between states and societies with religion used as a political resource.