POLB91H3 Lecture Notes - Lecture 9: Islamic Revival, Iranian Revolution, Fundamentalism
Document Summary
Modernization theorists view organized religion as an impediment to political and economic development. Many social scientists were convinced that as societies modernize, the role of religion in politics would diminish, just as it has in the west. However contrary to those expectations, third world religions have been resilient, growing political forces that have withstood the onslaughts of modernization. Many third world nations have experienced religious resurgence, which has intensified the role of religion in the political arena. For example religious leaders now use videotapes, radio, internet etc to preach. Nowhere is this change more apparent than in the middle east and parts of africa and asia where. Examples of islamic fundamentalism: seizure of american hostages in iran, lebanon, and iraq, the bombing of u. s embassies in east africa, terrorist assault on u. s air forces and 9/11 attacks. American accept a constitutional separation between the church and the state as the normal state of affairs.
