Religion in the Age of Globalization: Reflections on a Village in West Bengal, India

Abstract

For a long time it was held that a close link existed between the modernization of a society and the secularization of the population. Consequently, it was argued that the influence of religion declined in post-enlightenment society. Opposed to the modernization–secularization paradigm is the view that the influence of religion in the public sphere has not declined, but in fact, has increased. Nowadays religion has emerged as a powerful influence in the public sphere all over the world. This is particularly so, in India. Globalization, in all its various meanings, represents more continuity than discontinuity with processes originating in various phases of modernization. The significance of religion in public sphere in traditional and modern India no doubt differs qualitatively but it is always a part of public sphere. This study reveals that in modern India religion may be a separate domain but it is there forever.