Chapter 1: The Study of Globalization
Learning Objectives:
At the end of the lesson, the student should be able to:
1. give a personal definition of globalization;
2. discuss different definition of Globalization and its major areas;
3. differentiate the competing conception of Globalization.
Definition of Globalization
1. Globalization is the increasing interaction of people, states, or countries through the growth of
international flow of money, ideas, and culture. Thus, Globalization is primarily focused on economic
process of integration that has social and cultural aspects.
2. It is the interconnectedness of people and business across the world that eventually lead to global,
cultural, political, and economic integration.
3. It is the free movements of goods, services, and people across the world in a seamless and integrated
manner.
4. Globalization is liberation –as globalization means a process of removing state – imposed restrictions
on movements between countries in order to create an “open”, “borderless” world economy.
Globalization as define by other Authors
1. Martin Albrow and Elizabeth King define globalization as those process by which the people of the
world are incorporated into a single world society.
2. Anthony Giddens (The Consequence of Modernity) Defines globalization as the intensification of
worldwide social relations which link distant localities in such a way that local happenings are shaped by
events occurring many miles away and vice versa.
3. Rolando Robertson, Professor of sociology at the University of Aberdeen described globalization in
1992 as the compression of the world and the intensification of the consciousness of the world as a
whole.
Historical Foundation of the term “Globalization”
Through many scholars place the origins of globalization in modern times, other trace its history long
before the European Age of Discovery and voyages to the new world, some even to the third millennium
BC. Large scale globalization began in the 1820’s. In the late 19 th century and early 20 th century, the
connectivity of the world economies and cultures grew very quickly.
In 1897 Charles Taze Russel (of the Watch Tower Bible and Track Society) coined a related term,
Corporate Giants. This term refers to largely national trusts and other large enterprises of the time.
In 1930, the word Globalize as a noun appeared in the publication entitled Towards New Education
where it denoted a holistic view of human experience in education. In the late 1970’s, the word
Globalization was coined. In 2013, this term was used to mean “borderless society” referring to
international migration. In the early part of 1981, the term “globalization” had been use in economic
sense. However, in the late half of 1980’s Theodore Levitt popularize the term “Globalization” by
bringing it into the mainstream business audience.
Lately in 2000, The International Monetary Fund (IMF) identify four basic aspect of globalization:
1. Trade and transaction;
2. Capital and investment movements;
3. Migration of knowledge;
4. Dissemination.
It is only in 2017 when the word globalization was oftenly used in teaching, in discussion, in meetings
and conferences, in lecture and so on. This time 2018, the phenomenon of globalization is now on full
swing in all academics discipline.
The Theory of Comparative Advantages
Theory of Comparative Advantage state that countries that are good at producing a particular good are
better off exporting it to countries that are less efficient at producing that good. Conversely, the latter
country can then export the good in an efficient manner to the former country which might be deficient
in the same. The underlying assumption here is that not all countries are good at producing all sorts of
goods and hence the benefit by trading with each other. Further, because of the wage differential and
the way in which different countries are endowed with different resources, countries stand to gain by
trading with each other.
Three Major Areas of Globalization
1. ECONOMIC GLOBALIZATION - It refers to the widespread international movement of goods, capital,
services, technology and information.
Economic globalization primarily comprises the globalization of:
1. Production
2. Finance
3. Markets
4. Technology
5. Organizational
6. Regimes
7. Institutions
8. Corporations
9. Labour
The economic globalization is one most often mentioned in the media. It is associated with massive
amounts of financial traded daily on the different stock markets around the label “NEW ECONOMY”. In
order to monitor the economy, 3 economic institutions were created:
1. THE INTERNATIONAL MONITARY FUND (IMF) - would oversee the international monetary system
2. THE INTERNATIONAL BANKS FOR RECONSTRUCTION AND DEVELOPMENT (IBRD later named the
WORLD BANK (WB) - would provide loans for European reconstruction but later expanded its activities
to the developing world;
3. THE GENERAL AGREEMENT ON TARIFFS AND TRADE (GATT, renamed of the WORLD TRADE
ORGANIZATION in 1992) -would oversee multilateral trade agreements. For about 30 years, this system
remained in place and provided economic stability and prosperity to Western nations.
2. CULTURAL GLOBALIZATION - refers to the rapid transmission of ideas, meanings, and values and
cultural products across around the world in such a way as to extend and intensify social relations. This
process is marked by the common consumption of mono-cultures that have been diffused by the
Internet, popular culture media, and international travel, entertainment transnational marketing of
particular brands and international tourism – that transcends local cultural traditions and lifestyles, and
that shapes the perceptions, aspirations, tastes and everyday activities of people wherever they may live
in the world
MIGRATION is an important aspect of cultural globalization. This process has been going on for several
centuries, with languages, religious beliefs, and values being spread by military conquest, missionary
work, and trade. However, in the last 30 years, the process of cultural globalization has dramatically
intensified due technological advances in both transportation and communications technology.
3. POLITICAL GLOBALIZATION - It refers to the growth of the worldwide political system, both in size and
complexity. It includes:
1. National Governments,
2. Intergovernmental organizations, and
3. Government-Independent Elements of Global Civil Society such as: a. international non- governmental
organizations b. social movement organizations.
Chapter 2: The Structure of Globalization
Learning Objectives:
At the end of the lessons, the learner should be able to:
1. Define Market Integration; reason for market Integration and types of Market Integration;
2. Define global economy, Modern world system, economic integration, global economic integration,
and global interstate system;
3. Discuss the present global economy;
4. discuss the contemporary global governance and the challenges in the 21 st century;
5. Explain the different factors of global Economy;
6. Differentiate Market Integration and Economic Integration, Nation and State.
2.1 Global Economy
Global Economy is also referred to as world economy. This term refers to the International exchange of
goods and services that is expressed in monetary units. It may also mean as the free movements of
goods, capital, services, technology, and information. In some context, “global” or “International”
Economy is distinguished and measured separately from national economy while the “world economy”
is simply an aggregate of the separate country’s measurements. World economy is exclusively limited to
human economic activity and is typically judged in monetary terms. Typical example are illegal drugs and
other black Market goods which by any standard are part of the world economy, but for which these is
by definition no legal market of any kind. Global Economy or economic globalization is concerned on the
globalization of production, finance, markets, Technology, organizational regimes, institution,
corporations, and labor. While economic Globalization has been expanding since the emergence of trans
– national trade, it has grown at an increased rate due to an increase in communication and
technological advances under the framework of General agreement on tariffs and trade and World trade
Organization, which made countries gradually cut down trade barriers and open up their current
accounts and capital accounts. This recent boom has been largely supported by developed economies
integrating with majority world through foreign direct investment and lowering cost of doing business,
the reduction of trade barriers, and in many cases cross border migration.
Factors affecting global economy
According to the latest economic news, here are some of the key factors that influence and affect how
well the global economy works:
 Natural resources;
 Infrastructure;
 Population;
 Labour;
 Human capital;
 Technology;
 Law.
Benefits of global economy
There are numerous benefits of a global economy, which include:
 Free trade: Free trade is an excellent method for countries to exchange goods and services. It also
allows countries to specialise in the production of those goods in which they have a comparative
advantage.
 Movement of labour: Increased migration of the labour force is advantageous for the recipient country
as well as for the workers. If a country is going through a phase of high unemployment, workers can look
for jobs in other countries. This also helps in reducing geographical inequality.
 Increased economies of scale: The specialisation of goods production in most countries has led to
advantageous economic factors such as lower average costs and lower prices for customers.
 Increased investment: Due to the presence of global economy, it has become easier for countries to
attract short-term and long-term investment. Investments in developing countries go a long way in
improving their economies.
The effects of global economy
Nearly every country in the world is in some way affected by things that happen in what may seem at
times, like unrelated countries - due to the influence of the global economy. A good example of this is
the economic impact
that the Brexit vote will have other countries, not only in Europe, but across the globe. Brexit was
referendum
decision for the United Kingdom to withdraw from the European Union (EU).
The main cause of these effects is economics — based on the production and exchange of goods and
services.
Restrictions on the import and export of goods and services can potentially hamper the economic
stability of
countries who choose to impose too many.
The purpose of international trade is similar to that of trading within a country. However, international
trade
differs from domestic trade in two aspects:
 The currencies of at least two countries are involved in international trade, so they must be exchanged
before goods and services can be exported or imported;
 Occasionally, countries enforce barriers on the international trade of certain goods or services which
can disrupt the relations between two countries.
Countries usually specialize in those products that they can produce efficiently, which helps in reducing
overall
manufacturing costs. Then, countries trade these products with other countries, whose product
specialization is
something else altogether. Having greater specialization helps countries take advantage of economies of
scale.
Economies of scale refer to the proportionate saving in costs gained by an increased level of production.
Manufacturers in these countries can focus all their efforts on building factories for specialized
production,
instead of spending additional money on the production of various types of goods.
Occasionally countries add barriers to international trade. Some of these barriers include trade tariffs
(taxes on
imports) and trade quotas (limitation on the number of products that can be imported into a country).
Trade
barriers often affect the economies of the trading countries, and in the long run, it becomes difficult to
keep
employing such barriers.
2.2 Market Integration
Market Integration occurs when prices among different location or related goods follow similar pattern
in a long period. Group of prices often move proportionally to each other and when this relation is very
clear
among different markets it is said that the market are integrated. Market Integration is defined as a
process
which refers to the expansion of firms by consolidating additional marketing functions and activities
under a
single management.
Removal of barriers between two markets for the same product, so that prices on the two markets
become more closely linked. Trade liberalization contributes to international Market Integration.
Reasons for Market Integration
 To remove transaction costs
 Foster Competition
 Provide better signals for optimal generation and consumption decisions.
 Improve security of supply
 Theoretically one can integrate two markets without interconnection.
Types of Market Integration
1. Horizontal Integration
- This occurs when a firm or agency gains control of other firm or agencies performing similar functions
at the same level in the marketing sequence. In this type of Integration, Some marketing agencies
combine to
form a union with a view to reducing their effective number and the extent of actual competition in the
market.
It is advantageous for the member who join the group.
2. Vertical Integration
- This occurs when a firm performs more than one activity in the sequence of marketing process. It is the
linking together of two or more function in the marketing process within a single firm or under a single
ownership.
This type of Integration makes it possible to exercise control over both quality and quantity of the
product from the beginning of the production process until the product is ready for the consumer. It
reduces the
number of middle men in the marketing channel.
a. Forward Integration
 If the firm assume another function of Marketing which is closer to the consumption
function, it is a case of forward integration.
Example:
Wholesaler assuming the function the function of retailing.
b. Backward Integration
 This involves ownership or a combination of sources of supply.
Example:
When a processing firm assumes the function of assembling/ purchasing the
product from the villages.
3. Conglomeration
- A combination of agencies or activities not directly related to each other may, when it operates under
a
unified management, be termed conglomeration.
Degree of Integration
1. Ownership Integration
- This occurs when all the decision and asset of firms are completely assumed by another firm.
Example:
A processing firm which buys a wholesaler firm.
2. Contract Integration
- This involve the agreement between two firms on certain decision, while each firm retain each
separate
identity.
Example:
Tie up of dhal mill with pulse traders for supply of pulse grains.
The Global Interstate System
The history of colonialism and decolonization were seen to have importantly shaped the structures and
institutions of the whole global system. A more profound awareness of Eurocentrism was accompanied
by the
realization that most national histories had been written as if each country were on the moon. The
nation state as
an inviolate, pristine unit of analysis was now seen to be an inadequate model for the sociology of
development.
The Global Interstate System Concept and Principle:
 The Interstate itself is the fundamental basis of the competitive commodity economy at the
system level.
 The whole world – system is more than just international relation. It is the whole system of
human interaction.
 When we compare different kinds of world system it is important to use concepts that are
applicable to all of them. “Polity” is a general term that means any organization with a
single authority that claims control over a territory or a group of people.
 So the modern world- system is now a global economy with a global political system (the
modern interstate system).
 One of the important systematic features of the modern system is the rise and fall of
hegemonic core power – that so-called “hegemonic sequence” (Wallerstein 1998).
Hegemon is a core state that has significantly greater amount of economic power than any
other state, and that takes on the political role of system leader.
The World-Systems Theory
World-systems theory is a macro-scale approach to analyzing the world history of the mankind and
social changes in different countries. The definition of the theory refers to the division of labor, be it
interregionally or transnationally. Currently, the theory divides the world into the core, semi-periphery and
periphery
countries. Semi- periphery Nations are regions have a less developed economy and are not dominant in
the
international trade. In terms of their influence on the world economies, they end up midway between
the core
and periphery countries. However, they strive to get into a dominant position of the core nation, and it
was
proved historically that it is possible to gain major influence in the world and become a core country.
Peripheral
nations are nations that are the least economically developed. One of the main reasons for their
peripheral
status is the high percentage of uneducated people who can mainly provide cheap unskilled labor to the
core
nations. There is a very high level of social inequality, together with a relatively weak government which
is
unable to control country’s economic activity and the extensive influence of the core nations.
Contemporary Global Governance
Global Governance is a movement towards political cooperation among transnational actors, aimed at
negotiating responses to problems that affect more than one state or region. The term Global
Governance may
name the process of designating laws, rules, or regulations intended for a global scale.
Global Governance Problem They Deal With
 Global Climate Change
 Poverty and Management of Economic development
 Deficit of fresh water
 Financial Instability and Management of Financial Markets
 Global economic crisis or recessions
 Management of global trade and investment
 Global energy markets and their instability
 Global Migration
 Pandemic (such as COVID 19)
 Transnational Terrorism
 Transnational Crime\
The United Nation (UN)
Main Function:
The Main Function of UN is to maintain peace and security for all of its member- states. The UN does
not have its own military but it has peacekeeping force which are supplied by the member states.
On approval of the UN Security Council, these peacekeepers are often sent to regions where armed
conflict has recently ended to discourage combatants from resuming fighting. In 1998, the peacekeeping
force
won a Novel Peace Prize for its action.
Other Function of UN:
The UN aims to protect human rights and provide humanitarian assistance when needed. The UN
currently provides technical assistance in elections, helps to improve judicial structures and draft
constitutions,
trains Human rights officials, and provides food, drinking water, shelter, and other humanitarian services
to
people displaced by famine, war, and natural disaster.
Role of UN Today and the Future
For the future, the UN has established what it calls it Millennium Development Goals. Most of it
member state
and various international organization have all agreed to achieved these goals relating to reducing
poverty, child
mortality, fighting diseases and epidemics, and developing a global partnership in terms of international
development.
Some member states have achieved a number of the agreement’s goals while others have reached
none.
However, the UN has been successful over the years and only the future can tell how the true realization
of
these goals will plays out.
Chapter 3: The World of Region
REGIONS
Large size territories (such as counties, provinces, and countries, or large sections of countries such as
the
Midwest USA) that encompasses many places, all or most of which share a set of attributes of places
that make
up a different region.
FOUR WORLDS MODEL
 FIRST WORLD- Refers to the so called developed, capitalist, industrial countries roughly, a bloc of
countries aligns with the United States after World War II, with more or less common political and
economic interests: North America, Western Europe, Japan, and Australia.
 SECOND WORLD- Refers to the former communist-socialist, industrial states (formerly the eastern
bloc, the territory and sphere of influence of the union of soviet socialist republic) today: Russia, Eastern
Europe (e.g. Poland) and some of the Turk states (e.g. Kazakhstan) as well as china.
 THIRD WORLD- Despite ever evolving definitions, the concept of 3rd world serves to identify
countries that suffer from high infant mortality, low economic development, high levels of poverty, low
utilization of natural resources, and heavy dependence on industrialized nations.
o The 3rd world nations tend to have economies dependent on the developed countries and
are generally characterized as poor with unstable governments and having high rates of
population growth, illiteracy, and disease.
o A key factor is the lack of a middle class– with impoverished millions in a vast lower
economic class and a very small elite upper class controlling the country’s wealth and
resources. Most third world nations also have a very large foreign debts.
 FOURTH WORLD - refers to the most underdeveloped, poverty-stricken, and marginalized regions
and populations of the world.
o Many inhabitants of these nations do not have any political ties and are often huntergatherers that live in nomadic communities, or are part of tribes.
o The outdated and offensive term Fourth World is often linked to indigenous people.
Global Divides: The North and the South
Key takeaways
Global North
 Covers the west and the first world, along with the second world.
 May be define as the richer, and more developed region.
 Home of four out of five permanent members of United Nations Security Council.
 95 % of the north have enough shelter.
 In economic term, the North – with one quarter of the world population controls four – fifths of the
income earned anywhere in the world.
 90% of the Manufacturing industries are owned by and located in the north.
Global South
 Largely correspond with the Third world.
 Refers to those countries interconnected history of colonialism, neo – imperialism, and differential
economic and social change.
 Lacks of appropriate technology, has no political stability, the economies are disarticulated, and their
foreign exchange earnings depend on primary product exports.
North-South Gap
 It is the term used to describe the economic gap between the rich northern countries of the world
and the south poorer countries of the world.
 SOUTH
o Economy was based on cotton production which depended on slave labor
o Southern economy was weak and vulnerable because it depended entirely on cotton but
was still very profitable
o The period of cotton growing was called king cotton
 NORTH
o Economy was based on industries and major business, commerce and finance.
o North had many manufacturing factories that dealt with textiles, lumber, clothing,
machinery, leather, and wooden goods
o The biggest business of the north was in railroad construction.
o Transportation was easier because of railroads.
ISSUES OF NORTH-SOUTH DIVIDE
 Standard of living
- Factors lead to low of standard of living Lack of trade and aid Single crop farming abundance of
debt Neo- Colonialism.
 Distribution of income around the world:
- Liberalization of market occurs, most South countries lost to the competition from the North.
- Encourage migration of people from South to North for having a more good income.
 Economic competition worldwide
- Factors determine the competitiveness of economy Appropriate infra-structure Stable
macroeconomic frame work Well functioning public and private institutions
Asian Regionalism
Learning Objectives:
At the end of the lesson, the students should be able to:
1. Define what is Asian Regionalism;
2. Differentiate Regionalization and Globalization;
3. Identify countries that belong to each region in Asia;
4. Illustrate how ASEAN was form through Timeline.
The world of today is rapidly transforming from world of state into world of regions and states; over the
past decades the role played by regions in both local and global governance has undergone
transformation.
Regionalism defined as a political ideology that favors a specific region over a greater area. It usually
results due to political separations, religions geography, cultural boundaries, linguistic regions, and
managerial
divisions.
Asian Regionalism is the product of economic interaction, not political planning. As a result of
successful, outward oriented growth strategies, Asian economies have grown not only richer, but also
closer
together.
In the early stage of Asia’s economic takeoff, regional integration proceeded slowly. East Asian
economies, in particular, focused on exporting to developed country markets rather than selling to each
other.
Initially, they specialized in simple, labor-intensive laborers manufactures. As the more advance among
them
graduated to more sophisticated products, less developed economies filled the gap that they left
behind. The
Japanese economist Akamatsu (1962) famously compared this pattern of development to Flying Geese.
In this
model, move in formation, not because they were directly linked to each other, but they follow similar
paths
hinged on sequential – and sometimes competing ties to market outside the region, they did not initially
yield
strong economic links within Asia itself.
Now, though, Asian economies are becoming closely intertwine. This is not because the region’s
development strategy has changed; it remains predominantly nondiscriminatory and outward oriented.
Rather,
interdependence is deepening because Asia’s economies have grown large and prosperous enough to
become
important to each other, and because their pattern of production increasingly depend on network that
span
several Asian economies and involve wide ranging exchanges of parts and component among them.
Regionalization vs. Globalization
Regionalization is the process of dividing an area into smaller segment regions. Example is the division
of nation into states or provinces. Business use regionalization as a total in management.
On the other hand, Globalization is the process of international integration arising from the interchange
of world views, products, ideas, and other aspects, such as technology, etc.
As to nature, globalization promotes the integration of economics across state borders all around the
world, but regionalization is precisely the opposite because it is dividing an area into smaller segments.
As to Market, globalization allows many companies to trade on international level so it allows free
market, but in regionalized system, monopolies are likely to develop.
As to cultural and societal relation, globalization accelerate to multiculturalism by free and
inexpensive movement of people but, regionalization does not support this.
As to aid, globalized international community is also more willing to come to the aid of country stricken
by natural disaster but, a regionalized system does not get involved in the affairs of other areas.
As to technological advances, globalization has driven great advances in technology but advance
technology is rarely available in one country or region.
Factors Leading to the Greater Integration of the Asian Regions
Regional Integration is a process in which neighboring states enter into an agreement in order to
upgrade cooperation through common institution and rules. The objective of the agreement could range
from
economic to political to environmental, although it has typically taken the form of a political economy
initiatives where commercial interest are the focus for achieving broader socio political and security
objectives
as define by national government.
Intra - Regional Trade refers to trade which focuses on economic exchange primarily between
countries of the same region or economic zone. In recent years, countries within economic trade
regimes such
as ASEAN in Southeast Asia for example have increased the level of trade and commodity exchange
between
themselves which reduces the inflation and tariff barriers associated with foreign markets resulting in
growing
prosperity.
Similar Culture the cultures of Asia is diverse but they do share many things. This makes it an easier fit
during times of negotiations.
Common Goals the Asian region recognizes the mutual benefit of a slow integration. The territories
involved are not far from each other and the industriousness of its population can work as a powerful
negotiating block against those from other parts of the world.
Globalization of Religion
Objectives:
At the end of the lessons, the students should be able to:
1. Define what is Religion;
2. Explain the role of religion in promoting world peace;
3. Explain the relationship between religion and globalization.
In General we define religion as a system of belief and practices that creates both cultural
and religious differences and gives the strength to respect and tolerate other religions in the age
of globalization. More specifically, the word religion comes from Latin “religare” which means
to bind together again that which was once bound but has since been torn apart or broken.”
On the one hand, globalization creates new door to strength religion such as enhancing
beliefs and values, teaching equality for everyone, showing kindness etc. On the other hand, it
creates obstacles and challenges as it breaks traditional values while weakening their own
religious values, reinforces specific identities, creates a circle of conflict and competition among
various religion etc. So, we can see that, relationship between globalization and religion is a
complex issue, one with new possibilities and furthering challenges.
Relationship between Globalization and Religion
 Globalization and religion one with possibilities:
 With globalization religion becomes a culture of pluralism that teach us to respect
of other religions.
 As globalization brings economic marginalization, many various religious
organizations play an important social role such as- Catholic Relief Services,
World Vision International, and Islamic Relief Worldwide etc. serve many
disadvantage areas such as- poverty relief, health care, the HIV/AIDs crisis, and
environment problems etc. that draws massive followers while strengthening
religious values and ideas.
 Globalization also brings global political forums that try to diminish cultural,
ethnic, ideological and religious differences such as- while discussing issues such
as international peace and security, health, poverty, environment etc., the UN,
WHO, EU, AU, OIC etc. organization also shares basic commitments of religious
tradition such as peace, human dignity and equality, religious freedom, conflict
resolution etc.
 Globalization opens a new door for religion that enhances cooperation, tolerance
and brings new opportunities and possibilities.
 Globalization and religion with furthering challenges:
 Globalization also brings negative impacts on religion by breaking traditional
beliefs as people are more connected with the world that sometimes weakens their
own religious belief.
 As religious and traditional beliefs are decreasing, the explosion of new religions
is another prominent religious phenomenon in this globalized world. New
religions separate themselves from the conventional ones and develop their own
identities.
 Globalization with its consumerism culture brings changes on women’s dress that
sometimes impact negatively. For example, veil is now becoming popular and is
even sought by highly educated women and those in hi-society circle.
 In this globalized world, under the influence of consumer culture, achievement
and material prosperity has become the aim of life while inner peace is ignored.
 Religious terrorism is terrorism that is carried out based on motivations and
goals that have a predominantly religious character or influence. As world is
connected because of globalization, people can spread their ideas and beliefs on
everywhere and often by inspiring those ideas, people come up together in order
to fulfil their purpose in the name of religion that often causes terrorist activities.
“Pure and genuine religion in the sight of God the Father means caring for orphans and widows
in their distress and refusing to let the world corrupt you.”
James 1:27 (NLT)
The Role of Religion
in Promoting World Peace
By Ven. K. Sri Dhammanannda Malaysia
Religion has a definite role to play in people's search for world peace. The moral
principles and values contained in the teachings of great religious teachers are essential factors
for the reduction and ultimate eradication of greed, hatred, and delusion—which form the root
cause of various conflicts and wars, both within and without. Within oneself, these three evil or
unwholesome roots bring about great unrest in the mind, resulting in physical outbursts of
violence culminating in global warfare.
The fact that war begins in the minds of people is well recognized by certain peaceloving people. The preamble to UNESCO's constitution says: "Since wars begin in the minds
of
men, it is in the minds of men that the defenses of peace must be constructed." That is, if one
wishes to have peace of mind, one must also construct defenses of peace in one's own mind.
The world cannot have peace until nations and people begin to reduce their selfish desires
for more and more material possessions, give up their racial arrogance, and eliminate their
madness for worldly power. Material wealth alone cannot bring peace and happiness to the
minds of people. The key to real and lasting peace lies in "mental disarmaments"--disarming
the
mind from all kinds of "poisonous" defilements such as greed, hatred, jealousy, egotism, etc.
Religion not only inspires and guides people but also provides them with the necessary
tools to reduce greed with the practice of charity; to overcome hate and aversion with lovingkindness; and to remove ignorance with the development of wisdom and insight in order to
understand the true nature of beings and "see things as they really are."
The negative aspects of religion lie in the madness of some so-called religionists who try
to convert and win followers by hook or by crook, rather than adhering to proper instruction and
guidance. The purposeful misinterpretation of scriptural texts for various ulterior motives has led
to religious persecutions, inquisitions, and "holy wars." These terribly awful experiences
have
really marred the very name "religion."
In the context of today's spiritual need, religionists should work together in earnestness
and not in jealous competition with one another. They must work in harmony and cooperate in
the true spirit of service—for the welfare and happiness of the many. It is only then that they can
effectively influence the opinions of the masses and truly educate the people with some higher
values of life, which are very necessary for peaceful co-existence and integrated human
development.
Differences in religious beliefs and practices should not hinder the progress of various
religionists working for a common cause, for world peace. Let all religions teach people to be
good and proclaim the brotherhood of humankind. Let religions teach people to be kind, to be
tolerant, to be understanding.
Enough suffering and destruction have been caused by human "cleverness." It is time that
we pause and reflect upon the true values of religion and seek proper spiritual guidance to
develop our "goodness," to work for peace and harmony instead of war and disunity.
For the cause of humanity and for the cause of peace, let us hope that all our religious
leaders will stretch out their hands in friendship to one another and to all people irrespective of
race or creed—with a genuine feeling of love and brotherhood--to work for a peaceful world and
to work for humanity.