Jihad vs McWorld

Barber, B. R. (1995). ‘Jihad vs. McWorld’

Estimated Read Time: 6 Minutes 14 Seconds

This piece of work from Barber is perhaps one of the most interesting to study from the pre-9/11 period. 

Barber accurately provides reasoning and theoretical logic as to why these two theories of civilization will eventually clash (which they did).  

Jihad vs McWorld An Introduction

Barber writes about two viable political figures which can exist in the modern world, at odds with each other in most points of view. These two political figures are known as ‘Jihad’ and ‘McWorld’. According to Barber, however, these two political characters have one thing in common; Jihad and McWorld are both hindering practical ways for citizens to govern themselves democratically.  

Jihad and McWorld can exist in the same countries at the same time and can cause many complications, as they can operate in equal strength but contrary objectives. 

Jihad is motivated by biased detestation towards nonconformists of sub-national tribes and McWorld is focused on the rule of global marketplaces of various kinds (technology, ecology, communications and commerce). Barber insightfully predicts that the clash between Jihad and McWorld is unlikely to have a democratic outcome. 

The two political figures (Jihad and McWorld) both threaten democracy with their conflicting beliefs and contradictory ways of politics and governing.

What Does Jihad Mean (In This Context)? 

Jihad is described by Barber, as a modern tribalism, or the ‘Lebanonization’ of national states, in which society is divided into a number of small faiths who are extremely dedicated. 

These Jihadists have a strong yearning for independence, which regularly leads to violence and political unrest. The second threat mentioned in the article is McWorld, which is described as an efflux of global communications, ecology, technology and commerce. McWorld ties these together in a global structure, which threatens to annul national distinctiveness or national identity. 

The Four Features of McWorld

Four key features make up the power of McWorld. One of these is the market principle, explained by looking at Leninist and Marxist theories of imperialism; national markets drive past national boundaries in search of worldwide acknowledgement and power. Free trade has had effects on national independence because transnational corporations are present in countries all over the world. Subsequently, this becomes a threat to a national identity and economy. The market imperative reflects a need for global amity to sustain an efficient global market, also considered necessary by McWorld. 

The second feature that makes up the power of McWorld is the ecological imperative, in which countries are successfully destroying the natural world in the pursuit of modernization. 

Thirdly, the resource imperative exposes the need for nations to rely on each other due to the swift reduction of natural resources. Because all countries in this world need another countries’ resource, self-sufficiency is effectively absent. 

Finally, the fourth feature that makes up the power of the McWorld, is the information-technology imperative. This reveals how dependent the international community has become on science and communications. For example, most modern businesses depend on streams of information, which have been made available by new technologies. The quest for technology and science has caused many cultures in this world to become ‘westernized’. 

What is The Difference Between Jihad and McWorld?

McWorld promotes success, unity and peace between nations and McWorld also endorse consumption and economic productivity. 

Jihad appeals to some because of promotion of a local identity, unity within a state and a community to belong to. 

McWorld and Jihad both represent the de-politicization of society, where politics take a backseat to the market principals in the case of McWorld and a more secondary role to tribalism in the case of Jihad. Barber predicted that McWorld will eventually win this skirmish between the two political entities, and Jihad will give in to McWorld. 

How Does Jihad React To McWorld?

The advance towards a McWorld has been met with a competitive force, which Barber describes as Jihad. 

Many observers wrongly describe Jihad as a religious war or holy war, but Barber uses this word to describe subgroups within nations that identify their own rules and are always rebelling against globalization. 

Furthermore, jihad means "struggle" in Arabic and can have many different contexts, some of which revolve around normal family or religious life. Barber also claims that Jihadist groups, according to his definition, are also usually the main cause of civil wars across the world. 

The Americanization of Culture, Technology, and Politics

The homogenization of cultures across the world has already got to the point where it would be too hard for most to rely on their own technology and products. Many societies need American or Western products or technology to continue to exist. 

Barber put forth the argument that confederalized representative system, i.e. a system where there are self-governing territories and states but there is one collective national government, would be ideal for both figures. This system serves the desires of both Jihad and McWorld. By allowing local regions to exist within a national system, national governments could endure with this confederative attitude.

To ease tension between the opposing forces, it seems that the proposition of self-governing groups is the most attractive proposal. 

Barber has a lot of reasoning behind this theory, such as a confederal system would give sub-national groups more of an identity and giving these groups an official identity would ease the tension that may induce a civil war. 

In an international sense, to get a confederal system to work would involve having a confederal system rein under continental states rather than nation states. This would incorporate tribalism and globalization into a democratic arrangement. A confederate system would not work under a nation-state because people in a nation-state have a common nationality and a confederalized system promotes the idea of tribe-like communities. 

Conclusion 

A confederalized system would work under a continental state because, in a continental state, society doesn’t necessarily agree with the national government. A self-governing state or territory would keep the state or territory happy because they would have gained some sort of independence and identity for themselves. 

Barber is quick to dismiss this ever happening.

The ideas of Jihad and McWorld presented by Barber during this article are conceptual, but undeniably, they do exist. The notions of tribalism and globalization are widespread throughout this world and are bound to collide numerous times unless these tendencies can find a way to be at peace. 

Barber also claims that Jihad is much more prone to war than McWorld. Jihad is fighting for a national and community identity, which often leads to conflict, whereas McWorld is fighting for a global community, which usually leads to unity and co-operation. 

Although Barber makes a worthy argument throughout the article, he falls short at one point. Barber fails to acknowledge that globalization and westernization are due to the influx of American exports and American transnational entities. If not for American products, many Jihadists would have nothing to fight for, as their national or community identity is kept in place without the interference of westernization.

Jihad vs McWorld remains a pivotal piece of work for anyone interested in international relations and politics.

To cite this:

Findlay, J. (2018). Jihad vs McWorld (1995) Reaction Paper. Retrieved from https://jfindlayportfolio.blogspot.com/2018/12/jihad-vs-mcworld.html

Further Reading

B. Barber To Speak At Cornell University 

Jihad vs McWorld: The two axial principles of our age

Jihad vs McWorld: How The Planet is Both Falling Apart And Coming Together 

Review of Jihad vs McWorld. The Guardian

Democracy as an Antidote for Terrorism