Presleigh Keplinger- Reflection #3

           The class discussion today and the reading over Jihad vs. McWorld really highlighted the paradox of the world becoming torn apart by different ideologies resurfacing in different areas of the world, yet unified by forces that lead to a more homogenous culture throughout the nations.  Simply put, it’s the idea that the world is becoming more uniform and more diverse at the same time.  “Jihand”, which translates as “struggle” or “resisting”, refers to the nation-states of the world that oppose interdependence and strive to maintain particularistic communities.  “McWorld” alludes to the consumer-oriented capitalist global economy that pushes to regulate their own norms and behavior on the rest of the world.  This issue clearly presents many different aspects to it.

            I feel like one of the main conflicts between these two lies in the fact that people are constantly trying to protect their culture.  Many individuals as well as communities think that their culture is becoming compromised by modernization and the western world (McWorld).  This resistance may lead to conflict which is seen as only becoming resolved if violently attacking.  I'd like to think that a lot of the world would love to live in peace with one another but feel like their opinion or voice isn't big or loud enough to make a change.  Extremists however, are the ones that do believe they can make a change, and generally do so in rash, hostile ways.  There are extremists who don't cause violence but I believe that the violent extremists get more "fame" and have more attention to their name.  As Audrey pointed out in class, extremists on either end of this differing, yet ideological spectrum are the most culturally incompetent, viewing their culture as the best.  Western extremists of the McWorld tend to push their capitalist ways of life onto the rest of the world that consists of different cultures.  These smaller nations tend to resist this push, ultimately leading to major conflict, which again, stems from cultural incompetence.  So, my biggest question would be, how do we even begin to start moving towards a more culturally competent world?  Is it something that needs to be taught in lectures or something that should be modeled by major leaders in our country?