The next case study examines the links between globalisation and conflict in Peruvian Arawak communities, specifically the occurrence of accusations of child sorcery. In the 2003 book ‘Darkness and Secrecy: The Anthropology of Assault Sorcery and Witchcraft in Amazonia’, author Fernando Santos wrote a chapter exploring how the modernising forces of globalisation often result in an escalation in accusations of witchcraft among children. Globalisation in the Arawak communities over the last couple of centuries has resulted in the adoption of modern technologies and tools, the implementation of new social mores, the banning of particular productive activities and subsistence tasks, and changes in religious beliefs, political ideologies and lifestyles
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295). These periods of disruption are usually caused by rapid economic and social change driven by globalisation, both traditional (such as colonialism) and contemporary (such as the presence of multinational corporations). A surge in accusations takes place when there is increased external foreign pressure on issues such as natives lands, resources and labour, as well as conflict over native cultural representations, values and practices (Ibid, p. 295). I argue that the forces of modernisation and change that are brought to the Arawak community through globalisation create a social, economic and political environment in which conflict, such as the child sorcery accusations, is able to flourish.
Child sorcery accusations are closely related to the profound internal social fractures that are created when various beliefs and strategies are held by the community in regards to globalisation and the presence of foreign groups. As Santos writes, “accusations of child witchcraft always proliferate in contexts of internal conflicts between those who …show more content…
I argue that although globalisation is a central driver, there is no single factor that should be prioritised or isolated when understanding conflict in local communities. Instead, when trying to understand the sources of conflict I argue that it is essential to look at globalisation as just one of the many contributing factors in any given context. While the examples of India and Peru demonstrate that globalisation was a key contributor to the conflicts that arose, they also highlight that there needs to be an understanding of the cultural, economic, political and societal conditions that created an unstable environment (Taylor 2009). These two case studies also highlight how conflict in local communities is somewhat driven by globalisation and, although these are just two examples, I argue that the lessons can be transferred to similar situations in other communities or even nations. A fear of modernisation and the foreign agents of change that are associated with globalisation exists all around the world today. As more people than ever are crossing borders, and global crises are reaching an all-time high, many people are responding by turning to nationalism, trying to create a singular identity, and attempting to defend existing power structures. However, I argue that what we have learned from the two case studies is that in the process of trying to maintain incumbent power
295). These periods of disruption are usually caused by rapid economic and social change driven by globalisation, both traditional (such as colonialism) and contemporary (such as the presence of multinational corporations). A surge in accusations takes place when there is increased external foreign pressure on issues such as natives lands, resources and labour, as well as conflict over native cultural representations, values and practices (Ibid, p. 295). I argue that the forces of modernisation and change that are brought to the Arawak community through globalisation create a social, economic and political environment in which conflict, such as the child sorcery accusations, is able to flourish.
Child sorcery accusations are closely related to the profound internal social fractures that are created when various beliefs and strategies are held by the community in regards to globalisation and the presence of foreign groups. As Santos writes, “accusations of child witchcraft always proliferate in contexts of internal conflicts between those who …show more content…
I argue that although globalisation is a central driver, there is no single factor that should be prioritised or isolated when understanding conflict in local communities. Instead, when trying to understand the sources of conflict I argue that it is essential to look at globalisation as just one of the many contributing factors in any given context. While the examples of India and Peru demonstrate that globalisation was a key contributor to the conflicts that arose, they also highlight that there needs to be an understanding of the cultural, economic, political and societal conditions that created an unstable environment (Taylor 2009). These two case studies also highlight how conflict in local communities is somewhat driven by globalisation and, although these are just two examples, I argue that the lessons can be transferred to similar situations in other communities or even nations. A fear of modernisation and the foreign agents of change that are associated with globalisation exists all around the world today. As more people than ever are crossing borders, and global crises are reaching an all-time high, many people are responding by turning to nationalism, trying to create a singular identity, and attempting to defend existing power structures. However, I argue that what we have learned from the two case studies is that in the process of trying to maintain incumbent power