Handout for GEC 003 (The Contemporary World)
2019-2020
Lesson 1 – The Global North-South Divide
North-South Divide – a socio-economic and
political categorization of countries. It originated
from the Three World Divide. The division generally
do not follow the geographic location of countries.
Global North – comprised of First World countries
and selected Second World countries. Generally, the
Global North are richer and developed countries.
These countries are home to 25% of the total global
population, and these countries control 80% of the
total income earned around the world.
Global South – comprised of Third World countries
and the remaining Second World countries.
Generally, the Global South are poorer and
developing countries. These countries are home to
75% of the total global population, and these
countries control 20% of the total income earned
around the world.
Brandt Line – devised by former West German
Chancellor Willy Brandt. The Brandt Line sets the
boundaries between the Global North and the Global
South.
Criticisms on the Global North-South Divide:
• Too Restrictive – Brandt did not consider the
possibility of growth or decline of the
countries.
• A Form of Segregation of People
Possible Solutions to the Criticisms:
• More Flexible Mapping – instead of
following the definite lines set by the Brandt
Line, the Global North-South Divide should
use broken lines to present the upward or
downward movement of countries from
North to South, and vice versa.
• Globalization
Lesson 2 – The Globalization of Religion:
• Globalization and Religion has a complicated
relationship as religion is concerned with the
sacred while globalism places value on
material wealth.
• Globalization led to the spread of religious
ideas
Prepared by: Mr. Justin Paul D. Gallano
Faculty Member – College of Arts, T.I.P. Manila
MIDTERM 1st Semester, S.Y.
• Spread of religious ideas, in itself, is a form
of Globalization
• Generally, Globalization and Religion clash
over the issue whether religious
evangelization is, in itself, a form of
globalization.
Religion:
• concerned with the sacred
• follows divine commandments (Bible for
Christians, Koran for Muslims, and Torah for
Jews)
• assumes that there is “the possibility of
communication between humans and the
transcendent” (God for Christians, Allah for
Muslims, Yahweh for Jews)
• less concerned with wealth
• live a virtuous, sin-less life
Globalization:
• places value on material wealth
• abides by human-made laws (laws, policies,
and principles that make Globalization
possible)
• how much human action leads to the highest
material satisfaction
• less worried on whether they will end up in
heaven or hell.
Religious Evangelization – the various ways on
which religious organizations spread out their
religion and dogma. This could be in the form of
door-to-door evangelization, through word of mouth
or through the use of mass media.
Is Religious Evangelization a form of Globalization?
Yes No
It does expand and It has nothing to do with
intensify the flow of the accumulation and
information, and to spending of wealth.
some extent, even
people and goods.
(Steger’s Definition)
Realities:
1. Peter Berger - “The Contemporary World is...
furiously religious.” In most parts of the
world, there is a veritable explosion of
religious fervor (ex. Religious Holidays, etc.)
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© 2019 | NOT FOR SALE
Handout for GEC 003 (The Contemporary World) MIDTERM 1st Semester, S.Y. 2019-2020
2. Religions served as a foundation of the Religion Against Globalization: Some
modern-day republic. Example: Malaysia denominations (like Shiite Muslims) see
and Islamic Republic of Iran (Ayatollah Globalization as a “Trojan Horse,” filled with ideas
Ruholla Khomeini started the Islamic of secularism, liberalism, and even communism
Revolution in Iran during the 1970s).
3. Religious Organizations recognize the
importance of Secularism. Example:
Nahdlatul Ulama of Indonesia where they
have Pesantren (Islamic Schools) teaching
modern science, banking, social sciences, etc.
4. Religion came as a result of shift in state
policy. Example: Church of England was
established by King Henry VIII when he
broke off with the Roman Catholic Church
after the Pope declined to recognize/allow his
divorce.
5. Religion and Law fused together to create the
“Modern Secular Society.” Example: the
United State of America, as observed by
Alexis de Tocqueville in the 1800s, where
Americans practice Religion out of self-
interest.
• Jose Casanova – religion has always
been at the center of all great political
conflicts and movements of social
reform.

Religion For and Against Globalization:

• Religious institutions are generally divide
over the spread of Globalization – some
dislike it as it promotes materialism, while
the rest embrace Globalization and its forces
to help spread their teachings or dogma.
• The two largest religions (based on
following), also called as the two “old-world
religions” – Christianity and Islam – has
viewed Globalization less as an obstacle and
more as an opportunity to expand their reach.
Religion For Globalization: Globalization has
“freed” communities from the “constraints of the
nation-state,” and religion seeks to take the place (fill
the gap) of these “broken ties” to either help the
communities cope up, or organize to oppose.
Religion is then seen not as a regressive force against
Globalization, but as a pro-active force.

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Prepared by: Mr. Justin Paul D. Gallano
Faculty Member – College of Arts, T.I.P. Manila © 2019 | NOT FOR SALE