Members of societies throughout the world are currently experiencing massive, unprecedented, changes in their way of life. Changes that are lacking in focus, which are on a grand scale, and are of such a nature as to be affecting most aspects of life. Some of the identifiable changes include: societies turning away from paternalistic to maternalistic leadership; countries divided by political allegiance; young people demonstrating; immigration on a global scale; and loss of confidence in political and social institutions and leaders. But precisely what is happening and why are difficult questions for all of us who are involved in this process to answer. This book seeks to show that, these sometimes-violent disturbances to people’s way of life are a consequence of Globalization. The aim of the book is to provide explanations as to why Globalization is affecting the world in this way; and to contribute to an understanding of the seemingly irrational dynamics that are currently affecting societies throughout the world. Not least, those dynamics that result in global terrorism by Muslims.
This will involve showing the way that one society or culture, that of the West (“us”), responded to a period of economic failure by seeking to utilize global resources—human and physical—to create wealth and to provide cheap goods which would ensure the continuance of our standard of living. At least, that was the openly stated theory of Globalization at the outset. But as we shall see, it was and is, much more than just an economic model. It is a process that has no less a purpose than an attempt to change the world. It is regarded as a process in which technology, economics, business, communication and even politics will dissolve the barriers of time and space that once separated a people—and that the process of Globalization will ultimately lead to the closer integration of the world.
As an economic model Globalization has, by various measures and according to various commentators, been regarded as a success. Among other successes attributed to Globalization is the claim of a rise in living standards that has occurred as barriers between nations have fallen. However, it is also accepted that despite a resulting escape from poverty by millions of people in those places that have joined the world economy, it is still hard to convince publics and politicians of the merits of Globalization. As with many large-scale change processes at both a national or international level, what seems not to have been considered is the effect that these changes would have, and continue to have, on the various societal cultures throughout the world. It would appear that in developing and implementing Globalization the West has not considered the political and social consequences both in Western and in non-Western societies. Or if they have been considered, and there is some evidence for this view, they were totally misguided and developed solely from a monocular perspective; the singular view of the West. As we shall see there have been many effects of Globalization: the most dramatic and representative of all being that of global Muslim terrorism.
The effects of terrorism are, by their very nature, intended to be sensational. And such is the nature of terrorist activities carried out in recent years that members of societies throughout the world will be well aware of these events and their consequences. The resultant deaths and the physical and psychological maiming of those who have survived are plain for all to see. And, being in the eye of the visual news media the images are there to be seen unedited, with a shocking immediacy, and numbing reality by millions across the world. These atrocities are all reported in both the tabloids and the quality news media with headlines that match the shocking nature of the crimes. And the tabloids in particular will frequently respond by tapping into the emotions of the public by expressing hatred for the perpetrators who are identified as barbarians.
The resulting loss of human lives and appalling injuries suffered by the victims of terrorist acts provides a continuing drama as the families and close friends of the victims try to come to terms with the sudden and violent intrusions into their lives. This, in turn, provides continuing material for the news media, as does information about the search for those responsible for such heinous crimes. With each step of the process of grieving and mourning the vivid images are repeated on television and in the other news media. Taken together, they all contribute to a general sense of fear and anxiety by members of society. Put briefly, the effects of terrorism are simply terrifying and unavoidable.
Unlike terrorism, the effects of Globalization may not be so obvious and so readily identifiable. Such is the nature of change resulting from Globalization that it is, in the main, imperceptible to most at this time. The effects of Globalization have nothing of the immediacy and sensationalism that results in terror being so frequently featured in the visual and written media. On the contrary, reporting of items about Globalization is generally confined to the Business Sections of the quality newspapers. Seldom, if ever, does Globalization feature on the visual media and it is even less likely to be referred to in the tabloid press. I would suggest that if members of Western societies were asked about their views on Globalization most would probably be neutral—expressing neither good nor bad views. Some liberal minded members of societies might take a political view that was against the notion of big business and conglomerates because they perceived them to unfairly disadvantage the world’s poorer nations. But I would be very surprised if anyone were to offer the view that Globalization could be causing a degree of anxiety and suffering, in both Western and non-Western societies throughout the world, that was experienced as worse than the effects of acts of terrorism. Yet, this view which may be regarded by many as astonishing is that which is put forward in this book.
I should stress that this is not a political view. On the contrary, this book does not take and does not seek to support any party political view whatsoever. But it does take a different approach to those normally adopted. An approach based on an analysis of societal dynamics over the past four or more years. This analysis is unlike many other contemporary analyses as it most importantly contains the psychological aspects of societies as well as the social. Put another way, this approach is what we might term a psycho-social approach. However, before providing some further information about this approach it may be helpful to briefly refer to the reasons why such an approach is considered necessary.
Perhaps we should not be surprised that a project largely or mainly driven by economics should take a rational approach that sees things in a cause and effect manner. This follows the predominant approach to learning in the Western world, one which is greatly influenced by centuries of philosophical and scientific thinking which demands that subjects of study be broken down into measurable units which can then be subject to tests such as those of verification and replicability: a world of quantitative analysis. An approach that is in turn reinforced by our education system that is based upon a successful but ultimately reductionist philosophy of science. It is further reinforced in organizations where technological advances have had the effect of inadvertently reducing the humanistic aspects of management. A result is that we are greatly influenced by (the irrational) expectations that we hold as citizens and politicians (or employees and managers) that formal strategies and structures as represented by politicians (or managers) can offer the right answer (a cure) for all societal (or organizational) problems.
The dominant way of making sense of the complex organizational and societal situations that we face is by concentrating on the rational and predictable aspects of human experience. Indeed, we might even ask why those involved in a largely numerate discipline should have an awareness of the human sciences. The problem is that the results of their work inevitably have an impact on societies as a whole. We frequently read statements attributed to those supporting Globalization based on this rational approach. A typical example would be on the following lines: the merits of openness are so obviously beneficial in reducing barriers between nations and reducing poverty that it would be insane not to continue to adopt such a process. Seen from a rational economic perspective that sort of statement seems to make sense. However, it is to ignore the irrational that exists in all societies that are largely and mainly concerned with issues of culture. As will be further discussed throughout the book, messing with culture is likely to result in huge resistances that may be experienced as irrational. By way of example, if we look at the findings of research regarding so-called attempts at culture change in organizations, we will be aware that something in the region of 90% or more such efforts fail.
We of course need to accept that the dominant approach may be appropriate in certain circumstances but there are others where such an approach is totally inappropriate. This is particularly so in matters concerning human behaviour where in addition to data that is available to us through our usual processes of perception we also need to consider material arising from our internal world. So, what is it that we are we trying to understand? In simple terms, we are trying to understand processes of human behaviour, which by their very nature are dynamic; that is they exist in a state of flux and are characterized by spontaneity, freedom, experience, conflict and movement. So how do we study these dynamic processes? What is absolutely clear is that the value-free, value-neutral, value-avoiding model of science that was inherited from physics, chemistry and astronomy where it was necessary to keep the data clean, is quite unsuitable for the scientific study of life. When we extend science to the extreme difficulties of biological behaviour, human emotion and social organization, then other sources of insight and methodologies beyond those of the empirical analytical scientific method must be sought.
To achieve our aims means that we need to not only be aware of the rational processes occurring in societies, we also most importantly need to understand the irrational, sometimes unconscious processes that are occurring beneath the surface. Those processes that also have such an important effect on our lives and on our societies. This beneath the surface world is what we might term a parallel world, a different world, not so obvious but every bit as influential. Bhaskar (1975) pointed out that the social scientist can only say as much as the tools at his disposal or those which he chooses to use. The tools used here to provide the sought-after explanations are concepts derived from psychoanalysis and systems theories which I believe provide explanations for human behaviour that are both consistent and comparable. This approach has also been called “systems-psychodynamics”. I will gladly acknowledge that working in this way is not a perfect art. However, by adopting this approach we can discover enough of the underlying dynamics of the total situation to enable us to gain an awareness of societal dynamics.
The concept of “psychosocial” draws attention to the fact that what we are dealing with in social system transitions is fundamental change at two distinct levels at the same time and that the principles by which change takes place at each of these levels are quite different. At one level are the “social” factors: the products and services, the technologies, the organizational structures, policies, rules and procedures that are the stuff of people’s everyday life and work, the external realities around them. These are the limit of most others’ forms of enquiry and they operate according to principles that may be technical, economic, sociological, legal, or environmental in nature. This is an important level but is only partial.
At the other level are the “psycho” factors: the beliefs and values, the hopes, anxieties, and defence mechanisms, the ideas and ways of thinking of these same people that both determine how they perceive the external realities and shape their actions towards them. These are phenomena of subjective experience located within the minds of people, and they operate according to the principles of psychology, especially those studied in the fields of social cognition and psychoanalysis. To gain a deeper understanding of societal dynamics we need to consider both levels together. These two levels, the external and internal worlds of people—are in continual interaction: what goes on in the minds of people is partly reactive to what happens around them, but is also very much proactive. People’s ideas and ways of thinking influence the way they act upon their surroundings to bring about change in them (Amado, 2001; Rice, 1990).
Applications of this approach that will be explained in more detail in Chapter One have revealed information that is imperceptible to the vast majority of people. For example, a January 2004 analysis of societal dynamics showed that “The reported experience regarding the nature of social change is such that one can only conclude that it is in the nature of a revolution. The depth and quality of change that causes members of society to refer to feelings of de-Christianization, dehumanization and a loss of known values, an unravelling of the social threads that have held us together, can only be regarded as ‘the death of a way of life’” (Stapley & Collie, 2004). This was a view that was expressed in fifteen different countries and provides a stunning picture of the effects of Globalization. We might reasonably ask, can anything be worse than “death of a way of life”? Judging by the most recent findings in January 2006, the answer has to be “yes”.
Should anyone have doubts about the sort of effect that Globalization is having on societal cultures I wish to dispel them at this early stage. The serious nature of the current situation is captured in the following extract of a January 2006 analysis that stated:
The world is going through a period of unprecedented and revolutionary social change that still shows no signs of relenting. The effect of Globalization has been such that it has impacted upon all aspects of society be that individuals or those responsible for the management, leadership and administration of political, economic and social institutions. Members of society in all countries are struggling to come to terms with these changes and the current social dynamics are in large part evidence of the ways that members of societies are developing means of coping. There is little if any evidence to show that any particular society has started to come to terms with a “new way of life”. Indeed, the evidence is to the contrary.
Changes in societies around the world are so dramatic and so destructive that individuals and groups are experiencing a loss of identity. This dire experience is described by Winnicott (1988) as, “Integration feels sane, and it feels mad to be losing integration that has been acquired”; and by Melanie Klein (1955) as, “one of the main factors underlying the need for integration is the individual’s feeling that integration implies being alive, loving and being loved by the internal and external good object; that is to say, there exists a close link between integration and object-relations. Conversely the feeling of chaos, of disintegration, of lacking emotions, as a result of splitting, I take to be closely related to the fear of death.” It seems little wonder therefore that members of society should describe their experience as “death of a way of life”, as they did in 2004 (Stapley & Cave, 2006).
The evidence is that Globalization is exceedingly powerful and influential at both a social and a psychological level in all societies. As was stated above, messing with culture can have some serious consequences.
The opening chapter, “The field of study: societal cultures”, recognizes the need and provides a description and explanation of the theoretical approach taken. Extending from and expanding on the theoretical base of Group Relations learning the same ideas that are applied to the study of small and large groups is applied to society that is also seen as an intelligible field of study. The chapter describes what are considered to be the two key concepts of Group Relations learning: the notion of group-as-a-whole dynamics, and relatedness. Viewing societal dynamics from the perspective of the society-as-a-whole makes available for study dynamics of the society that are different from individual dynamics. And the concept of relatedness makes us aware of the mutual influence of individuals and groups. Having set the theoretical base this is then further extended to include societal culture that develops out of the interrelatedness of the members of society and what is referred to as the societal holding environment that enables us to view societal dynamics as the representation of societal culture.
From here on I seek to address the main issue: that of Globalization and terrorism. In Chapter Two, “The parallel worlds of Globalization and global Muslim terrorism”, the aim is to locate the study of Globalization and terrorism in an overall time scale and in a manner which enables comparative development and linkage. In this way, we can begin to gain an understanding of the way that global Muslim terrorism has developed as one of the consequences of Globalization. There are many social and political consequences of Globalization, some of which will be referred to in subsequent chapters. These should in no way be underestimated as I would suggest they will continue to have an impact on members of societies throughout the world for some considerable time. However, the current pre-occupation with what is undoubtedly the most dramatic consequence of Globalization is global Muslim terrorism.
To enable comparison of Globalization and terrorism is a difficult task as both phenomena are by their very nature ill-defined, long-term, complex processes that defy simplicity. However, by proceeding on the basis that the World Wide Web (www) was undoubtedly one of, if not the key driver and enabler, of Globalization; and that Al Qaeda is the primary source and representation of global Muslim terrorism; we can provide the necessary picture in symbolic form. This uncanny comparison provides us with a notion of the time scale and development of both Globalization and terrorism and the way that they have developed in parallel in a simple enough way as to enable a focus that can be kept in mind. A further aim of this chapter is to provide something of a route map for what is to follow.
This is followed in Chapter Three, “The Industrial Revolution: the first Globalization”, by a short and selective reference back in history to the Industrial Revolution of 1789–1848 which is now being referred to as the first Globalization or Globalization One. This chapter, in reviewing and reflecting on aspects of the historical period known as the Industrial Revolution, seeks to provide a further context for today’s Globalization. There are so many important and interesting similarities in the dynamics that arose as a consequence of the Industrial Revolution and those that are currently arising as a consequence of Globalization, that it would be foolish to ignore them. The changes of the Industrial Revolution were doubtless as imperceptible then as they are now, but with the aid of hindsight they are now available as an important record. As will be shown, the depth and breadth of the changes were such that the experience then must also have been one of “death of a way of life”, and the problems of adjusting to a new way of life must have been as stressful then as they are today. In addition, this period of history had such a massive impact on many societies throughout the world that it still has an enormous effect on non-Western societies today. This provides for a continuing relatedness between Western and non-Western societies and cultures that is always potentially harmful.
Chapter Four, “Globalization”, brings us to the present day and begins to provide an understanding of the unprecedented and imperceptible nature of Globalization. In this chapter, I seek to provide an explanation of the way that the process of Globalization is manifesting itself in the world today. As was the experience of the Industrial Revolution, it will be shown that Globalization is not just a change in technology, but the fact that the new technology has brought into being a new way of living. Globalization, like its forerunner, was originally driven by economic need but has developed way beyond that to begin the process of creating in societies throughout the world a new way of life. The view taken here is that at this time, what that new way of life will be is not known and we are currently at the stage where we are experiencing “death of a known way of life”.
In Chapter Five, “The effect of Globalization on Western societies”, I shall provide the first of three analyses concerning the effects of Globalization, starting here with the effect of Globalization on Western societies. The main source for this analysis will be the findings of OPUS Listening Posts that are referred to in Chapter One. Such is the dynamic nature of the process of Globalization that the changes are largely imperceptible and the more traditional research methods are not at all helpful. A result is that other than the experience of the Industrial Revolution there really is little other material available. However, the reader will find the Listening Post material highly illuminating and a rich source of understanding.
In Chapter Six, “An analysis of the effects of Globalization on non-Western societies”, the analysis continues with particular concentration on the effect of Globalization on members of Muslim societies. Sadly we do not have the rich data available as in the last analysis, instead, we have to rely on extending our thinking from a variety of sources. These include: comparison with the effects of Globalization on members of Western societies; contemporary reportage and known dynamics; and the benefit of hindsight from the experiences arising during the period of the Industrial Revolution. In this chapter and the previous one it will be seen that the consequences of the Industrial Revolution which were mainly dependency which resulted in an increased interest in evangelical religion in the West, and in the Muslim world to Islam; and violent rebellion both by members of British society and by members of societies in other countries, is being replicated today. This chapter will show that an effect of Globalization on members of Muslim societies is that of violent rebellion that manifests itself as global Muslim terrorism.
In Chapter Seven, “Exploring the effects of Globalization on intercultural relationships and relatedness”, I will provide a concluding analysis that seeks to build on the analyses in Chapters Four and Five by exploring the effect of Globalization on inter-cultural relationships and relatedness. Exposure of the destructive affects on societal cultures enables us to think about global dynamics in a different way and one of the aims is to provide a deeper explanation of the resulting inter-cultural dynamics that are having such dangerous consequences at this time. A further aim is to encourage members of societies everywhere to understand their involvement in the processes that lead to the dangers we currently face. And most important is the vital aim of seeing the current dynamics as an intercultural conflict between Western societies and Muslim societies, as opposed to some smaller conflict with fundamentalist group.
For those who are interested in the theoretical approach taken it will be helpful to start at Chapter One. However, if you are more interested in the actuality of the subject matter it might be better to start from Chapter Two and continue through the building blocks of successive chapters that come together at the end of the book.
This book has its origins in a paper presented to a Meeting of AGSLO in Stockholm, Sweden on 2nd December 2005. I wish to express my appreciation to the Members of AGSLO for the opportunity of presenting this paper and for their warm response that encouraged the writing of this book.
I also wish to express my appreciation to Christelle Yeyet-Jacquot at Karnac for her helpful comments on an early draft and for her kindly and helpful guidance and assistance in bringing this book to fruition.
Thanks and appreciation are also due to the Conveners and many Members of OPUS Listening Posts held in different countries throughout the world who through their skill and participation have assisted in revealing that which was otherwise imperceptible.
This is a book of our time and it is likely to be of interest to those many sophisticated members of societies throughout the world who are interested in knowing more about their societies and in gaining an understanding of global Muslim terrorism. It will be particularly interesting to those reflective citizens who wish to gain a deeper understanding of their own involvement in the development of societal dynamics and societal cultures, and for those who may have the challenging task of taking the learning forward by developing multi-cultural and inter-cultural relationships in some of the most trying and difficult circumstances. For academics and students of culture it may provide some new and interesting ideas.
Not least, I would hope that it is of interest to those responsible for the management, leadership and administration of political, economic and social institutions. In particular, to politicians and those in Governments and international agencies; and that it may serve to convince them that a systems psychodynamic approach to national and inter-national affairs can provide vital new information.