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Jihad vs. McWorld: Terrorism's Challenge to Democracy Paperback – July 30, 1996

by Benjamin Barber (Author)

75 customer reviews

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Jihad vs. McWorld is a groundbreaking work, an elegant and illuminating analysis of the central conflict of our times: consumerist capitalism versus religious and tribal fundamentalism. These diametrically opposed but strangely intertwined forces are tearing apart--and bringing together--the world as we know it, undermining democracy and the nation-state on which it depends.

On the one hand, consumer capitalism on the global level is rapidly dissolving the social and economic barriers between nations, transforming the world's diverse populations into a blandly uniform market. On the other hand, ethnic, religious, and racial hatreds are fragmenting the political landscape into smaller and smaller tribal units. Jihad vs. McWorld is the term that distinguished writer and political scientist Benjamin R. Barber has coined to describe the powerful and paradoxical interdependence of these forces. In this important new book, he explores the alarming repercussions of this potent dialectic for democracy.

A work of persuasive originality and penetrating insight, Jihad vs. McWorld holds up a sharp, clear lens to the dangerous chaos of the post-Cold War world. Critics and political leaders have already heralded Benjamin R. Barber's work for its bold vision and moral courage. Jihad vs. McWorld is an essential text for anyone who wants to understand our troubled present and the crisis threatening our future.

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Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Political scientist Barber examines the rise of both intolerant tribal identities and international consumerism.
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Review

"An important new book."¶
--Newsweek
¶
"Mr. Barber is. . . the first to put Jihad and McWorld together in an inescapable dialectic . . . . [It] stands as a bold invitation to debate the broad contours and future of society."¶
--Barbara Ehrenreich¶
The New York Times Book Review¶
¶
"COMPELLING. . . IMPRESSIVE. . . A thorough, engaging look at the current state of world affairs."¶
--The American Reporter

"Challenging and instructive."¶
--San Francisco Chronicle
¶
"Barber is well worth reading. . . for an introduction to the real world, look at Jihad vs. McWorld."¶
--The Nation¶

"Stimulating, tartly written."¶
--Publishers Weekly

See all Editorial Reviews

Product details

Paperback: 432 pages
Publisher: Ballantine Books; 1st edition (July 30, 1996)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 9780345383044
ISBN-13: 978-0345383044
ASIN: 0345383044
Product Dimensions: 5.5 x 0.9 x 8.3 inches
Shipping Weight: 13.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
Average Customer Review: 75 customer reviews
Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #253,141 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #370 in Books > History > World > Religious > Religion, Politics & State
- #391 in Books > Politics & Social Sciences > Politics & Government > Specific Topics > Globalization
- #392 in Books > Religion & Spirituality > Religious Studies > Church & State

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Lleu Christopher

Right On Target

September 2, 2002

Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase

This book came out in 1995, but it has never been more relevant than today. In describing the world situation as a battle (or, more accurately, dialectic) between "Jihad" and "McWorld," Benjamin Barber has not merely invented a catchy metaphor; this is indeed the direction much of the world is moving. Jihad as used here is not, of course, merely the Islamic holy war, though it certainly includes this. It is any reactionary, tribal movement that sees modernization and the Western world in particular as evil. McWorld is the opposing movement --the ever-expanding globalization that brings McDonald's, Walmart and American cinema to every corner of the globe. Barber's most important insight is that both of these forces, violently opposed to each other as they are, are incompatible with any meaningful concept of democracy. Jihad, of course, whatever form it takes, sees freedom and democracy as inseparable from corruption, immorality and greed. McWorld, on the other hand, embodies the most amoral aspects of Western civilization, sometimes giving credence to the fears of Jihad warriors. The multinational corporations who are colonizing the world have little regard for traditional cultures and native environments. The problem with Jihad is that, instead of offering a constructive criticism of McWorld, it retreats into a violent reactionary mode and blindly condemns everything modern. And when the devotees of Jihad act out in a truly violent manner, this in turn makes the superficially benign forces of corporate capitalism seem civilized by comparison. Barber also points out that the two often exist side-by-side in the same region --sometimes in the same individuals, strange as this seems. Throughout the book, Barber describes the two forces as a dialectic. As he says,

"...Jihad stands not so much in stark opposition as in subtle counterpoint to McWorld and is itself a dialectical response to modernity whose features both reflect and reinforce the modern world's virtues and vices --Jihad via McWorld rather than Jihad vs. McWorld."
Barber also reveals that Jihad is very much active in modern Western democracies. In America, for example, armed militias and groups such as Aryan Nations are attempts to overthrow the moral corruption of modern capitalism. Less extreme but in the same vein are fundamentalist Christians who believe Judgment Day is imminent, and perhaps welcome it. Many will recall the reaction of Pat Robertson and other fundamentalists after the Sept. 11 World Trade Center attack --it was, they said, God punishing an immoral, Godless society. Overall, Jihad vs. McWorld is an important book because it puts the chaotic world situation into meaningful perspective. His analysis shows the dangers of oversimplifying things and invites us to look at the complexities of this rather tragic modern dialectic. As Barber tells us, if either Jihad or McWorld is allowed to triumph, the world of the future will not be very free, sane or pleasant.

17 people found this helpful18 people found this helpful

Prophetic and relevant

April 26, 2002

Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase

I read this book prior to the September 11 attacks but returned to it for perspective on the situation. I quickly realized that Barber's analysis was both prophetic and relevant to our current crisis.
In essence, Barber demonstrates that what we consider to be good in the industrialized world -- specifically, an ever-expanding capitalist, consumerist lifestyle -- is viewed with deadly suspicion by many in the non-industrialized world. That's because the wholesale acceptance of our culture is perceived by many of the world's poor as a threat to their traditional lifestyles.
The author points out that capitalism originally took root and flourished because of Western democracy's ability to curb the excesses of unfettered profit-making. But today's multinational corporations are no longer restrained by democratic forces in many parts of the third world. There, capitalism works in the name of absentee investors as a predatory force, stripping communities of their material and cultural resources, creating a branded, homogenous "McWorld" that too often leaves multitudes of impoverished people in its wake.
Such conditions breed anger and resentment against Westerners in general and often against the American symbols of global capitalism in particular. In the worst case scenarios, negative energy is manifested by terrorism. So as the multinationals connect the world more closely together with sophisticated communications and production systems, "tribal units" such as terrorist organizations strive at the same time to tear this world apart.
Somehow, "global democracy" needs to catch up with economic globalisation, the author reasons, to secure a more stable "global civil society". Such a world should more equitably balance the needs of people with capitalism. Barber believes that if people were truly empowered as citizens they could reshape their communities to better serve their own needs. In the end, this would effectively diminish the attractiveness of joining in the ultimately self-destructive world of "Jihad".
Furthermore, the long-term growth of capitalism itself also requires stable markets. Barber points out that unless we more equitably share the benefits of capitalism with so-called emerging market countries, the instabilities that are created will eventually undermine our own success too.
As policy makers struggle to learn how we can prevent another attack from happening, we would do well to consider the intelligent analysis in this outstanding book.

19 people found this helpful20 people found this helpful

A Thought Provoking Read!

May 21, 2000

Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase

I think the whole idea of the McWorld vs. the Jihad is brilliant. The author did a great job explaining both worlds and how in many ways they cause each other and how they effect society and democracy.
Personally, I found the author to come off a bit snobby at times and I felt the last couple of chapters wound down in economic jargon that I did not fully understand. I am a history person and I do not have much background in economics, so it is easy to confuse me.
However, on the whole this book was great. It was very readable and the book always made you think. The world of religious extremism scares me. Whether it is ultraorthodox Jews, born-again Christians, or the real Jihad I am not a fan of religious extremism. The idea of McWorld really does not scare me that much. I have been to China and seen Pepsi posters on every corner and KFC's on every street. I really do not think that is such a bad thing. What scares me about McWorld was best illustrated in NY recently with Disney vs. Time Warner. The world of music, computers, sports teams, stadiums,internet, movies, etc. is increasingly more and more under the control of a very few people and groups. I do not think that is a good trend at all. That scares me much more than seeing a Kenny Rogers Roasters in Beijing.
I highly recommend this book. It is easy to read, until the last few pages, and will make you think. Read this and then pick up any of the great works of Robert D. Kaplan and compare.

3 people found this helpful4 people found this helpful

Kindle Customer

Highly recommend

March 3, 2018

Format: Kindle EditionVerified Purchase

For those searching for a soul - not a soul bestowed by God or the God that consumerism has become, find a voice in Benjamin Barber that very often materializes the nagging thoughts in your head and the tugging emotions you struggle to describe. Modern society advertises and sells you everything you need to be a complete human, but ask yourself - do you feel complete?

One person found this helpful

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