“Globalisation” is too general a term, pointing to a complex process of a rapid increase of connectivity as well as convergence in contemporary ways of life.
Admittedly, the momentum of globalisation is pronounced in global economies, punctuating the fact that “economic development” is a leading notion of the modern era. So much so that, as aptly observed in Charles van Doren’s The Idea of Progress, governments may stand or fall dependant upon economic development; certainly wars are waged in the name of “economic progress”.
There is therefore a real need for Muslim nations to formulate a positive and well-balanced stand on globalisation. The contemporary Muslim world must understand the real implications and values of globalisation and how far this contributes to the real problems confronting Muslims. Only then can they accept what is truly good and relevant to their real needs in this globalised world.
Prime Minister Dato’ Seri Abdullah Badawi recently stated that “simply opposing globalisation–adopting the attitude of withdrawal, or taking the path of obscurantism–is clearly not a wise option. In fact, it is not an option at all.”
Be that as it may, many people are justifiably anxious that globalisation may lead to the homogenization of culture. In addition, they are concerned that the cultural norms will be dictated by Western culture, particularly the culture of countries that are well-developed as far as the sciences, technology and economic prosperity are concerned.
What makes many people more worried is that such a cultural homogenization would mostly be in the interests of big Western corporations. For more information on this, readers may want to refer to David C. Korten’s When Corporations Rule the World, Michael’s Parenti’s Democracy for the Few and G. William Domhoff’s Who Rules America?
It is good to remember that not long ago, we suffered under colonial rule with all its oppressive and exploitative repercussions. Colonisation has to some extent paralyzed most former colonies.
Arguably, the colonialists are also partly responsible for their legacy of later protracted and violent conflicts, including tensions between India and Pakistan and the strife in South American countries, not to mention Arab-Israeli antagonism.
Therefore, it is quite understandable if now there is public bitterness towards what they perceive as another wave of “cultural imperialism” which will cause grave economic impacts, all in the name of globalisation.
Meanwhile, present-day industrial economies have also caused major problem related to the global, natural environment. Water and air pollution have degraded the quality of our biosphere and have caused grave climatic changes referred to as global warming. Issues concerning over-fishing and the spread of invasive species are also cross-border in nature and cannot be solved without international cooperation.
There has already been a call for the re-orientation of science which would enable advanced technology, the kind of which is more friendly in preserving a healthy ecological balance in the global environment.
As justice also implies rendering every human being his due, the present world is in dire need of those capable of championing the interests of poorer nations, the interests of the helpless and weak nations of the globe, who are generally living in blinding poverty and helplessness. We are in need of those able to speak up and act against the selfish, corrupt and callous, against tyranny and exploitation, be it economic exploitation or otherwise.
By virtue of the fact that poverty removes human dignity, Muslim countries must reinforce the eradication of global economic explotation and poverty to safeguard everyone’s right to decent basic economic goods.
At present, there is the condition of, to quote Fazlur Rahman, “islands of plenty in a sea of global poverty”. For example, it has been estimated that 24 per cent of the global Muslim population earn less than US$1 per day; and a further 39 per cent of the global Muslim population live below the poverty line.
Nevertheless, the very fundamental issue lies in the attitude of Muslim Leaders and their Community. Otherwise, how are we going to account for the fact that the Muslim countries, in whose territories are located 60 per cent of the world’s natural resources, fail to agree on their tremendous role in an effective way? And how are we going to understand the fact that 1.6 billion Muslims, who account for 20 per cent of the global population, have failed to develop into a proportionately global productive force and economic powerhouse for the benefit of humanity?
Some statistics and indicators on Human Development show that some Muslim countries have conclusively failed as a result of their low commitment to provide even basic infrastructure for their subjects. For instance, in terms of insufficient health facilities as well as inadequate clean water supplies and proper sanitation services along with poor nutrition.
It is quite clear that some Muslim countries are in a state of confusion and even desperation. We may even go so far as to say that they are not in a balanced state of mind and spirit. For some, they are not even sure as to what they are supposed to do. They merely grope for solutions to their problems.
What is it that is wrong with present institutions and social arrangements of the Muslims? We totally agree with Professor Dr. Syed Muhammad Naquib al-Attas’s observation that the single evident crisis facing Muslims today is “the loss of self-discipline-that is to say, the loss of the discipline over body, mind and soul.”