Reflection #3

“Today, at the far end of this history, we seem intent on re-creating a world in which our only choices are the secular universalism of the cosmopolitan market and the everyday particularism of the fractious tribe.”

In his article, “Jihad vs. McWorld,” Benjamin Barber analyzes the stark contrasts between the pursuit of identity and profit in the radical movements in our society. In his analysis, Barber questions the barriers we have established in our identities. Why is the pursuit of the McWorld, or the “bloodless economics of profit”, defined by the lack of spiritual identity or cultural heritage? Why is the radical Jihad, or “bloody politics of identity,” the only choice to pursue cultural identity and respect?

Barber says that in the McWorld, everyone is a consumer and everyone belongs to the same tribe, but no one is a citizen. How does one seek individual identity when he or she is consumed in the McWorld of climbing up the ladder? How do we achieve balance in the regards of strongly believing in a group but maintaining individual identity?

According to Barber, in the United States, multiculturalism is the rule, and homogeneity is the exception.  I agree that his perspective should be embraced by all Americans. If we established an understanding that “majority” is a changing term, we could better accept and appreciate the many cultures that make our country so interesting and strong.