Review article

Contemporary Fundamentalism

Marta Zorko orcid.org/0000-0002-8458-7384 ; Faculty of Political Sciences, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia

Abstract

Fundamentalism appeared in 1920's in the USA within the framework of Protestantism. Since then, many characteristics of this movement have changed. Contemporary fundamentalism exists primarily as an ideology with a political tendency trying not to influence public policy creators, but to form them. Although in contradiction with the basic term of fundamentalism, contemporary fundamentalism is a modem ideology. The term of modernity is a key term in understanding contemporary fundamentalism. Primarily for undertaking the modern methods of arm fight (terrorism), using modem technologies (mass media), overtaking modem political institutions (situation in Iran after the revolution in 1979) as well as the standards of modem society (attitude toward women). Speaking about contemporary fundamentalism one has to mention its connection with terrorism as a tool for achieving political goals. Also, it is very interesting to mention the revolutionary tendency of contemporary fundamentalist movements, seen through the need of fundamentalists for deep changes of the entire society. Regarding stereotypes, they only give momentum to fundamentalist movements, giving them mass support or mass critique, encouraging them in the "magic circle". Reasons for creation and development of contemporary fundamentalism one can try to search within or outside the framework of contemporary society, one or more religions or terrorism thematic.

Keywords

fundamentalism; contemporary fundamentalism; terrorism; ideology; modernity

Hrčak ID:

290576

URI

https://hrcak.srce.hr/290576

Publication date:

15.3.2007.

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