Jihad vs. McWorld

[Os Cangaceiros]

Has anyone read this?

It seems to be one of the more famous pieces that's often grouped in with the "clash of civilizations" canon, although it seems to be more about the battle between a relentless consumer capitalism coming to loggerheads with traditionalism. I've heard that Benjamin Barber is some kind of left sympathizer, but I don't know if that's true or not.

[Obzervi]

I haven't read it but this became apparent to me after reading other sources. I used to think it was all about defending the Muslim world from western imperialism, its more than that. Muslims know what the euphemism such as "western democracy" and "freedom" represent; a complete destruction and corruption of their culture. They will fight against it.

[RadioRaheem84]

It's another in the long list of pre-9/11 theory that was capitalized post-/911. It does deal with the issue that globalization is clashing with traditional elements and takes a rather limited anti-globalization position. In that way it is good but in another way it is not. Apparently, "Jihad" to barer is traditional norms in the Mid East. So you're going to have the typical Orientalist approach to looking at the Middle East that liberal employ. It also takes the usual liberal progressive small business is the way, not global corporations.

In other words it's a typical liberal book. Nothing that would teach a leftist anything he didn't already know and could put it in better terms.

[Adil3tr]

I read it. Its a long book by a old liberal professor. Its okay, but it makes points that are centuries behind us. It basically makes the case for local democracy against both fundamentalists and nationalists, and large corporation. The farthest left this guy would probably go is a fair trade rally.

[Adil3tr]

I haven't read it but this became apparent to me after reading other sources. I used to think it was all about defending the Muslim world from western imperialism, its more than that. Muslims know what the euphemism such as "western democracy" and "freedom" represent; a complete destruction and corruption of their culture. They will fight against it.

Ummm... No. Thats not what its about.

[Amphictyonis]

Has anyone read this?

.

I thought I was the only one ;)

Barber isn't a neocon but his "liberal" stance is really not that different. Kinda like Obama. He uses the term "corporate" a lot and fails to see the need for capitalism itself to expand/open up new markets/allocate resources.

He wasn't so much focusing on Islam (except chapter 14) but indigenous cultures of all sorts trying to fend off the homogenization of capitalism. Again, I didn't like how he used the term "corporatism" or "corporations" so much. Typical liberal smoke and mirror rhetoric. Blame the evil corporations! Capitalism can be salvaged!

[blackwave]

Best book title ever?

[Obzervi]

Ummm... No. Thats not what its about.

Its about occupation and a zionist plot to fundamentally change the Middle East. This is sick.

[Adil3tr]

Its about occupation and a zionist plot to fundamentally change the Middle East. This is sick.

Did you read the book? I don't even think it had the word zionist, or any other reference to jews. Besides Mcdonalds trying to open a resturant near Auschwitz.