Fundamentalist Tendencies And Movements Existed, So Far

I Wouldn't Rule Out The Possibility Of Muslim Or At Least Arab Countries Developing Some Form Of Organization Comparable To The European Union. I Don't Think That's Very Likely, But It Conceivably Could Happen.

The Colonial Experience All Muslim Countrieswent Through May Be A Factor In The Fight Against Western Domination, British, French Or Whatever. They Were Until Recently Largely Rural Societies With Land Owning Governing Elites In Most Of Them. I Think They Are Certainly Moving Toward Urbanization And Much More Pluralistic Political Systems. In Almost Every Muslim Country, That Is Occurring. Obviously They Are Increasing Their Involvement With Non-muslim Societies. One Peak Aspect Of This, Of Course, Is The Migration Of Muslims Into Europe.

The United States Has Been An Immigrant Country. The Hispanics Who Come Here Are Largely From Mexico And South America. They Are Catholics, But That Is An American Religion. One-third Of Our Population Is Catholic So That Does Not Have The Same Impact As Muslims Coming Into Europe.

Certainly There Are Various Trans-islamic Political Movements, Which Try To Appeal To Muslims In All Societies.

The Question Really Is What Will Be The Central Focus Of Global Politics In The Coming Decades And My Argument Is That Cultural Identities And Cultural Antagonisms And Affiliations Will Play Not The Only Role But A Major Role.