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Questions and Answers
What is the definition of religion according to the module?
What is the definition of religion according to the module?
human beings’ relation to that which they regard as holy, sacred, absolute, spiritual, divine, or worthy of especial reverence
What is the central assumption of Huntington’s thesis in The Clash of Civilizations?
What is the central assumption of Huntington’s thesis in The Clash of Civilizations?
The post-Cold War world would regroup into regional alliances based on religious beliefs and historical attachments to various “civilizations”
According to social scientists, what has been observed globally since the late 20th century?
According to social scientists, what has been observed globally since the late 20th century?
The resurgence of conservative religion among faiths such as Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism, and others
What is the common heritage shared by the 'Confucian' cultures, according to Huntington?
What is the common heritage shared by the 'Confucian' cultures, according to Huntington?
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What has contributed to the undermining of the Confucian family in Asia, according to the module?
What has contributed to the undermining of the Confucian family in Asia, according to the module?
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What is the predicted outcome of the 'clash of civilizations', according to Huntington?
What is the predicted outcome of the 'clash of civilizations', according to Huntington?
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What is the trend observed in family size in East Asian societies since the 1980s?
What is the trend observed in family size in East Asian societies since the 1980s?
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What is the assumption of Secularization Theory, from a sociological perspective?
What is the assumption of Secularization Theory, from a sociological perspective?
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What type of family structure is replacing the patriarchal joint family in Asia’s “Confucian” societies?
What type of family structure is replacing the patriarchal joint family in Asia’s “Confucian” societies?
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What is the term used to describe the living arrangement where a married couple resides in their own home?
What is the term used to describe the living arrangement where a married couple resides in their own home?
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What is the term used to describe the pampered only children born to conjugal families?
What is the term used to describe the pampered only children born to conjugal families?
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What ideology is diametrically opposed to the neo-authoritarian Confucian rhetoric promoted by some political leaders?
What ideology is diametrically opposed to the neo-authoritarian Confucian rhetoric promoted by some political leaders?
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Which countries, aside from those in East Asia, experienced dramatic reductions in family size and birth rates during the late 20th century?
Which countries, aside from those in East Asia, experienced dramatic reductions in family size and birth rates during the late 20th century?
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Who are the political leaders mentioned as promoting neo-authoritarian Confucian rhetoric?
Who are the political leaders mentioned as promoting neo-authoritarian Confucian rhetoric?
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Study Notes
Definition of Religion
- Religion refers to human beings' relation to that which they regard as holy, sacred, absolute, spiritual, divine, or worthy of especial reverence.
- Constituent elements of the religious life include worship, moral conduct, right belief, and participation in religious institutions.
Secularization Theory
- Sociologists believe that as societies become more modern, the need for and power of religion begins to decline.
Huntington's Thesis
- Huntington predicts that the post-Cold War world would regroup into regional alliances based on religious beliefs and historical attachments to various “civilizations.”
- He identifies three prominent groupings: Western Christianity, Orthodox Christianity, and Islam, with additional influences from Hinduism and Confucianism.
- He predicts that the progress of globalization would be severely constrained by religion-political barriers, resulting in a “multipolar world.”
Resurgence of Conservative Religion
- Since the late 20th century, there has been a worldwide resurgence of conservative religion among faiths such as Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism, and Sikhism.
- The social and political connotations of these conservative upsurges are unique to each culture and religion.
Confucian Cultures
- Huntington assumes that the major East Asian societies constitute an alliance of “Confucian” cultures that share a common heritage in the teachings of Confucius.
- The reduction in family size and changes in family values in East Asia, particularly in China, are undermining the basic tenets of the Confucian family.
Changes in Family Values
- The conjugal family (centering on the emotional bond between wife and husband) is rapidly replacing the patriarchal joint family (focused on support of aged parents and grandparents) in Asia.
- Married couples now expect to reside in their own home (“neolocal” residence) as opposed to the house or compound of the groom’s parents (“patrilocal” residence).
- Children produced by these conjugal units are pampered only children known as “Little Emperors” or “Little Empresses.”
- Contemporary East Asian families are characterized by an ideology of consumerism that is diametrically opposed to the neo-authoritarian Confucian rhetoric promoted by political leaders.
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Description
This quiz explores the concept of religion, its constituent elements, and its decline in modern societies according to secularization theory. It also touches on Huntington's thesis in relation to globalization.
