Modern technology allows people to travel more often and to more places than ever before. Traditional societies were able to retain the assumption that there was only one way of doing things so long as they remained relatively isolated and experienced little in the way of contact with the outside. In the modern era, however, people and ideas are not easily stopped at the borders of nations or villages — and once people learn that there are other ways of doing, believing, and acting, some will start to question the traditions of their forefathers.
This gives rise to fundamentalism. Traditionalism is unself-conscious — the existence of a single way of life is a given that isn’t questioned. A true traditionalist isn’t even aware of being a traditionalist and certainly experiences no need to defend tradition. Fundamentalism is highly self-conscious and defensive because it occurs in a context where multiple choices have been introduced. The task of fundamentalists is to find some way to argue for why traditional beliefs really are superior to the new alternatives.
Because of this, fundamentalists are thoroughly modern in their approach, their outlook, their tools, and their methodology. They may extol traditionalist beliefs and perspectives, but there is precious little about fundamentalists that it truly traditional. It’s no coincidence that so many fundamentalists are pulled from the ranks of engineers and other technical fields. It’s also no coincidence that so many fundamentalists have come to be experts at the use of modern technology for the advancement of their agenda.
Fundamentalism would not exist without modernity, and as such, fundamentalism is in many way as mirror image of modernity — though one which highlights many of its darker and more intolerant aspects. Politically, fundamentalists are not inclined towards democracy and liberty because such notions are theologically anathema. They are convinced that they possess the Truth from God; insofar any of that truth can or should be applied to the political realm, what motivation could there be to introduce Falsehood in its place?
Malise Ruthven examines the manner in which Christian, Islamic, Jewish, Buddhist, and Hindu groups all express these attitudes. He offers a basic but very good overview of the historical, social, religious, political and ideological backgrounds of the various fundamentalisms, providing readers with a concise overview of a very complex phenomenon.
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