12 Oct 2022

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What is Fundamentalism? - Definition, Beliefs & History

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In the contemporary times, different philosophies and ideologies have extended the meaning and interpretation given to it earlier or in ancient times, and fundamentalism is no exception. There are many philosophies and thinking that have expanded interpretation and meaning. The human characteristics that has defined humanity have presented differences in many aspects such as race, religion, gender, tribe, clans, culture and even geographical locations that mostly define humanity and in particular anthropology. Such attributes have also extended meaning and interpretation that some of the philosophies and ideologies have also been impacted in the extended meaning and interpretation according to the anthropological interpretation of the fundamentalists as stated by Judith Nagata. The two statements as much as they are dramatically different, and reveal the different conceptions to the other, they both show the extreme that fundamentalism that relates to anthropology gets displayed. 

Both statements showed a position that is uncompromising and anti-relativist where the other or people that it talks about are perceived as the “enemy” and demonized as a result of the human characterizes and the difference that either result from the race, ethnic affiliation, or even religious beliefs among other relevant aspects that define humanity. Nagata views and interpretation of fundamentalism that is related to anthropology, thus, has proved relevant and useful in international relations and in particular understanding of the issue to do with race and ethnic relations sin the world that is an important factor in the international relations (Nagata, 2001). It helps predict and analyze the expected outcomes when people with diverse human characteristics meet that may either result in assimilation and accommodation or either conflict and war that results from repulsion of people with different racial and ethnic background. Nagata piece and philosophies in the viewing of the international relations and interactions hence can provide a framework that measures and steps can be taken to try and formulate policies and studies that counter the lies and propaganda used by people with different racial and the ethnic background of the others . It enhances peaceful co-existence and harmonious existence for humanity and eliminates a possible repeat of extreme events such as war and violence that has happened in the past as noted. For example in the German Holocaust among another example such as the Rwandan genocide among many others that have been linked to the racial and ethnic background related fundamentalists with no supported or scientific prove about the expectation that people have against others. 

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The first claim by Juan de supuleda that the Indians of Hispaniola were natural slaves and hence ought to be harshly treated shows an example of extreme fundamentalists. There is no evidence and fact to show that certain people by the virtue and fact that have or show different racial and ethnic differences do not qualify to be called or referred to as natural slaves and ought to be titrated harshly. Therefore, such positions and statements when they are digested by the populations and believe in can enhance conflict and violence between the two communities and people. Those that have show differences regarding ethnic backgrounds such as religion, tribe, language, culture, clans, and even dialect among other forms of ethnic attributes that can be used to differentiate people from in community to the other. International relations is also concerned with peace and conflict studies and tries to understand the factors that contribute to the non-existence of peace and security that affect the community as well as regions at large. It notes the fact that the international relations and related studies see the world as a global village as a result of enhancing interrelations between and among people of different racial and ethnic backgrounds facilitated by improved technology as experienced in the contemporary times. The statement, therefore, can discourage the international relations ideologies by creating conflicts and enmity between the two different tribes that might go on for centuries. It creates a high chance for a community or population referred in the contexts to take certain fundamental positions that would determine special forms of identity politics, labeling, and meaning that are given to the other populations and their culture. Also, such statements also create room for the formulation of discriminatory, stereotyping and prejudicing statements and views about a given or referred population in the declarations. It can further jeopardize peaceful coexistence demonizing each other as enemies that create tension and a possible violence and war as have already been experienced in the past as a result of fundamentalism linked with anthropology. 

On the other hand, the statement by Hitler that the Arians were the master race and had the right to rule all others also show the fundamentalism aspects related to anthropology. It shows the mental disposition that resulted to the holocausts that experienced worst outcomes as far as humanity a is concerned and in particular issues of race and ethnic relation in the world that has impacted the present populations and people involved as a result of the impact that the holocausts had in life and international relations. It presents a dark movement and history in humanity that can be directly and indirectly linked to race and ethnic relations fundamentalists. The statement issued by Hitler, thus, has impacted the development of racial and ethnic relations in the world for many years as it provides a reference point that the impact and possible outcomes of such fundamentalism linked to anthropology can have. And, therefore, responsible governments and agencies at both local and international levels have used to formulate and encourage education among the population. Education that prevents the humanity natural givens such as language, tribe, clans, clan, religious and race that show the diverse nature of humanity not to be used to enhance actions and beliefs that compromise peaceful coexistence. And, interactions as experienced in the present where the concept of globalization has seen increases interaction of people from diverse backgrounds and culture in the world. The statement by Hitler, in particular, shows how racism is linked to the fundamentalist ideologies whereby a member of one particular race to believe that they are superior to the other race and hence can manipulate them and control them as they desire a position that is faulty and not supported by any scientific evidence. Studies have been done to counter such arguments and provide proof that such fundamentalist beliefs related o anthropology do not exist and are just a façade that needs to be challenged and discouraged to enhance international relations objectives and goals for both individuals and state as a whole. 

The two statements, thus, show how anthropology related fundamentalism is displayed and shown that show the different attributes of anthropology such as ethnic backgrounds. Particularly in the first statement as well as the racial aspects sin the second statements that can be related to the fundamentalism and used by the concerned people to make decisions and refer to the actions that they take on the other counterparts. Nagata introduces important factors relating to race and ethnic relations that have helped many analyze and understand different aspects that have already been done in the past as well as experienced presently related to race and ethnic backgrounds. In the present societies, there are many incidences of race and ethnic relations that have shown overt racial and ethnic relations and discrimination that cuts across all sectors in the society such as in politics, economics as well as social matters. It shows that it is an important subject to discuss and understand not only for people interested in international relations but also other related subjects such as diplomacy, peace and conflict studies and disciplines among others. Nagata, hence, has brought an additional perspective and position that issues that touch on international relations and in particular those that try to address race and ethnic relations can be viewed and pursued as an alternative option. Also, develop policies and regulations that discourage such fundamentalist beliefs that has proved to impact the international relations negatively by encouraging conflict and creating tension between and among people of different races and ethnic backgrounds because they create unambiguous boundaries and exclusiveness that discourage international relations and interaction. 

The issue of racial and ethnic relations is recognized as among the most and fundamental aspects of the society as noted in the international institution such as the United Nations among other that encourage diversity. It is because they understand the impact that such approach would have to the world at large in promoting peace and stability as most conflicts experienced result from fundamental anthropological views as opposed to ideological views. 

In conclusion, Judith Nagata introduced an important concept that has helped many understand issues that determine and control racial and ethnic relations and interactions both locally and internationally. The noted statements by Hitler and Juan de supuleda are examples that show how extreme fundamentalism can result and develop with possible consequences and outcomes. The subject that relates to anthropological perspectives as presented by Nagata thus is helpful in the present times where issues of racism and ethnic relations and discrimination are openly shown and practiced as noted in many societies across the world. The piece by Nagata among other literature that touches on the subject can be used to formulate policies and regulations that discourage negative attitude. And, ideologies that can result to fundamentalism related to anthropologist especially those that can results in negative outcome such as war and violence that have discouraged and reversed the many gains and benefits that can results in international relations. 

Reference 

Nagata, J. (2001). Beyond Theology: Toward an Anthropology of "Fundamentalism." American Anthropologist 103(2):481 – 498. 

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StudyBounty. (2023, September 15). What is Fundamentalism? - Definition, Beliefs & History.
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