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- Title
CULTURAL CONTRADICTIONS OF SOFT POWER AND ISLAM.
- Authors
Dondelinger, Joseph M.
- Abstract
"Soft power" proponents endorse it as the superior alternative to the exercise of "hard power." This essay argues that the projection of soft power, culturally defined, has unintended negative consequences in relations with Islam in particular and traditional societies in general Hostile reaction in the Muslim world is rooted in opposition to cultural modernization and Western-driven globalization, and in the specifics of Islamic religious foundational sources and subsequent interpretations. But Islam, too, projects soft power in its own globalization drive. And therein lies one of Islam's yet to be fully understood and appreciated weaknesses as extreme interpretations of Islam, and theological homogenizing tendencies in particular, clash with the cultural diversity of Muslim societies. It is a weakness that can be leveraged for policy purposes.
- Subjects
ISLAM; MUSLIMS; MULTICULTURALISM; GLOBALIZATION; MULTICULTURALISM -- Social aspects; HOSTILITY; CULTURAL pluralism
- Publication
Journal of Interdisciplinary Studies, 2008, Vol 20, Issue 1/2, p37
- ISSN
0890-0132
- Publication type
Essay
- DOI
10.5840/jis2008201/23