Religion and Globalization Quiz

Religion and Conflict

• Religion can be both the root cause of conflict and a tool for mobilizing nationalist or ethnic sentiments.
• Jihadist globalism is a religious response to perceived Western materialist assault on the world.
• Jihadist globalism aims to destroy alien influences on Muslim people and restore a pure form of Islam.
• Violent religious fundamentalism exists both in the East and the West, aiming to transform the world into a religious empire.
• Osama Bin Laden sought to unite Muslims globally, destroying both foreign invaders and corrupt Islamic elites to restore power to the masses.
• Al-Qaeda established cells in various parts of the world, aiming to achieve a global restoration of God's rule.

Roman Catholic Teachings on Globalization

• The Catholic Church promotes eight principles for globalization, emphasizing human rights and social responsibility.
• Universal Human Rights: All individuals are entitled to basic rights.
• Social Nature of the Human Person: Humans are inherently social beings and interdependence is crucial.
• Common Good: Actions should benefit society as a whole.
• Solidarity: Humans are responsible for each other's wellbeing.
• Preferential Option for the Poor: The Church advocates for the needs of the poor and vulnerable.
• Subsidiary: Decisions should be made at the lowest possible level.
• Justice: Fairness and equality are essential principles.

Globalization Throughout History

• The Silk Road, a trade route between China and Rome, is an early example of globalization connecting Asia, Africa, and Europe.
• The global economy in the 17th and 18th centuries was primarily characterized by trade and exchange, with limited global production.
• The 19th century witnessed the rise of globalization toward its modern form, marked by increased international trade.
• The period before World War I is considered a golden age of globalization, characterized by relative peace, free trade, and economic stability.
• The global economy expanded rapidly in the 19th and 20th centuries, with average growth rates significantly higher than in national economies.

International Monetary Systems and the Gold Standard

• The International Monetary System (IMS) is a global network of governments and financial institutions that regulates international trade and currency exchanges.
• IMS aims to facilitate cross-border transactions, especially trade and investment.
• IMS reflects economic power and interests, as monetary systems are inherently political.
• From 1870 to 1914, trade relied on the gold and silver standard, with a decentralized monetary system.

Evolution of the International Monetary System

• The evolution of the International Monetary System includes the Gold Standard, Bretton Woods System, and the current floating exchange rate system.
• The Gold Standard was a system where paper currency was backed by gold, maintaining relatively stable exchange rates.
• The Bretton Woods System, established after World War II, aimed to stabilize the international financial system and promote trade.
• The current floating exchange rate system allows currency values to fluctuate based on market forces.

The Nation-State

• The nation is an imagined political community, limited in scope but sovereign in its authority.
• The nation is imagined as a community of members, often without personal knowledge of each other, yet united by a shared sense of belonging.
• The nation-state is a powerful concept, combining the modern state's territorial authority with the nationalist sentiment of a shared identity.

The State and Economic Interdependence

• Globalization is driven by free-market capitalism, transnational enterprises, and the disparity between free movement of money and restricted movement of labor.
• While globalization reduces national control, sovereign states still exercise "structural power" to define the terms of globalization.

European Integration

• European integration is a process of political, economic, social, and cultural integration among European nations.
• The European Union (EU) is a major driver of European integration, governing common policies.
• The EU has expanded throughout Central and Eastern Europe, with 28 member states.
• Economic integration aims to promote welfare by reducing trade barriers and coordinating economic policies.

Stages of Economic Integration

• Economic integration progresses through seven stages, each with increasing levels of cooperation.
• Preferential Trading Area (PTA): Reduced tariffs on selected goods between member countries.
• Free Trade Area (FTA): Elimination of tariffs on goods traded between member countries.
• Customs Union: Common external tariffs on goods imported from non-member countries.
• Common Market: Free movement of goods, labor, capital, and services between member countries.
• Economic Union: Common policies for monetary, fiscal, and trade.
• Economic and Monetary Union: Common currency and central banking.
• Complete Economic Integration: Full economic and political unification, similar to a federation.