The Medieval Church and the Origins of Globalization
James Muldoon
Historically Speaking February 2002 James Muldoon The Medieval Church and the Origins of Globalization I * good orill, globalization is G"^ g\ I^ upon us. At mundane JL V-/ X. level, this means that an enormous range ofproducts from most ordinary to sophisticated can be found-everywhere. An American fuels his Japanese-made car with gasoline brought Saudi Arabia drives it while drinking coffee Caribbean waiting for a call on cell phone made by companyin Finland. On other hand, also possible travel throughout much worldwithoutleavingAmerican culture. One glide over surface ofthe earth, renting Hertz, stayingin HolidayInns, eating in McDonalds, remaining hermetically -sealed bubble. Even those who criticize because they see as destroying their traditionalwayoflife often dress ratherlikeAmerican sports fans or college students, so someone has no idea intricacies squeeze play wears New York Yankees cap. Furthermore, ubiquity CNN news services, foreign demonstrators thoughtfully wave signs written English, although, like student papers, demonstrators' protest slogans occasionallycontain misspellings grammatical errors. There sense specificallyAmerican language global village, village grows ever larger. With development hand-cranked radio, longer even necessary live near electric power lines possess unlimited supplyofbatteries hear learn about world. No matter how hard one tries avoid consequences globalization, "Hound Heaven" follows us "down arches years." To extent thatwe conceive ofglobalization such material terms, however, our understanding ofwhat happening remains superficial. more than creation ofa universal consumer After all, quite wear western clothes, use technology, watch CNNwhile rejecting culture underlies them. above all conception vision right order It inextricably linked Western Europe's Christian past. exists not only Europeans createdworldwide trade networks, but conceived humankind ultimately forming community. term related terms developed underdeveloped nations mask what really taking place These bland neutral suggest there universal, natural, ongoingprocess ofhuman developmentthat operates every society. Beliefin existence ofthis process based premise human beings form single species therefore society should eventually develop along same general lines. say are societies suggestthat outside forces have intervened block at least slow down natural course ofdevelopmentthatshould occurring. forms species, international standards humanitarian behavior applicable societies. Whatis reallyhappening world not, some inevitable leading formation ofsimilar everywhere.Whatisreallyhappening westernization orthe Europeanization— notsimplytheAmericanization—oftheworld, aprocess thathas beengoingonnotfrom 1492 1 1th century This does notmean European domination oftheworldin militaryterms evenin economicterms. Itdoes mean spread ofEuropean cultural values theirimposition on, ortheir adoption by, non-Europeanpeoples. thinkglobally, land coherentwhole, effectto come it. avision rooted medieval tradition; modern conceptions societyecho ecclesiastical ofall humanityas spiritual community . Europeanization began Europe out ruins Roman Empire but, important, Carolingian 10th century. was formed combining Germanic invaders classical tradition within matrix created Church. elements distinctive emerged heartland gradually directions...
Historically Speaking