Globalisation is the idea that the world is getting smaller, through inter connectedness, different societies are becoming a lot closer to each other through technology and the media as well as transport. Fundamentalism, according to some sociologists such as Huntington, is the challenge to globalisation, returning to the roots of their religion where the core beliefs are still in practice. Some people associate fundamentalism with violence, as was the case with the 9/11 attack, but this view has been criticised by many, because not all fundamentalist groups adopt violent methods, for example creationists.

Giddens argues that fundamentalism is in fact a reaction to globalisation because with globalisation comes the concept of cosmopolitan religion which provides choice in many different areas of life, such as diversity, sexuality, careers etc, and because of this choice there is an element of uncertainty. This also links in with the idea of ‘spiritual shopping’ in which people explore different aspects of regions and almost pick and chose which parts they like, without fully adopting every single belief and solid practises/teachings of one religion. Globalisation provides the necessary components to adapt to a postmodern society, and the fundamentalism is to refuse the adaptation, and return to the roots of their faith, and their faith only. As a result, promoting the idea of social solidarity and structure. Which would appeal to almost everyone as humans need structure, because without it there would be chaos. Fundamentalism provides certainty where there is none in a globalising world, by referring back to the scripture of their religion where there are strict teachings and beliefs interpreted by chosen and experiences ministers of that faith. Without globalisation, there wouldn’t be such an emphasis on fundamentalism as Giddens argues it is a relatively new