Gary D Bouma

Globalization, Social Capital and the Challenge to Harmony of Recent Changes in Australia's Religious and Spiritual Demography: 1947-2001

Introduction

Globalization, social capital and the challenge to harmony of recent changes in australia's religious and spiritual demography: 1947-2001. Explore how globalization & demographic shifts (1947-2001) impacted Australia's religious profile & social harmony. Analyzes changing spiritual identities, migration & social capital.

Abstract

Religious organizations have been one of the primary engines of social capital in Western societies. Globalization, demographic change, the events of September 11 2001 and the Bali bombing have combined to raise concerns about the role of religion in promoting social harmony in Australia. Changes in Australia's religious profile since 1947, the last census before the effects of post-war migration, and 2002 include a major decline in identifications with mainline protestant groups, the rise of Catholics, the Orthodox, Buddhists, Muslims and Hindus. Much of the change can be attributed to various forms of globalization - the migration of religious persons, groups and ideas. The rise and recent decline in those declaring 'no religion', the increased presence of pentecostal Christian groups, and the rise of Pagan and New Age spiritualities is largely attributable to changes in religious identity in response to the globalization of ideas about religion and of new and refreshed religious beliefs and practices. The impact of these changes on the way religion and spirituality contribute to or threaten Australia social capital is explored.

Review

This paper tackles a highly pertinent and complex topic at the intersection of religious studies, sociology, and social policy, examining the profound shifts in Australia's religious and spiritual landscape between 1947 and 2001/2002. The abstract clearly posits that globalization, through various mechanisms including migration and the spread of ideas, has been the primary driver of these demographic changes. It highlights significant transformations, such as the decline of mainline Protestant groups, the ascent of Catholic, Orthodox, Buddhist, Muslim, and Hindu populations, and the emergence of 'no religion,' Pentecostal, Pagan, and New Age spiritualities. The central argument revolves around how these transformations ultimately impact Australia's social capital and, consequently, its social harmony. A key strength of this study lies in its ambitious scope and timely focus. The abstract effectively situates the research within a crucial historical moment, particularly referencing the post-9/11 and Bali bombing events, underscoring the heightened relevance of religion's role in social cohesion. By tracing demographic trends over a significant period, the paper promises a robust empirical foundation for its analysis. The conceptual framework, linking globalization to religious change and then to social capital and harmony, offers a compelling lens through which to understand contemporary societal dynamics. The exploration of both traditional religious shifts and the rise of non-affiliated and alternative spiritualities suggests a comprehensive approach to understanding the evolving Australian spiritual landscape and its multifaceted implications. While the abstract clearly outlines the broad contours of the research, some areas might benefit from further elaboration within the full paper. Specifically, a more explicit definition or operationalization of "social capital" in this context, and how its contribution or threat is empirically assessed, would be valuable. The abstract promises to explore the "impact of these changes on the way religion and spirituality contribute to or threaten Australia social capital"; a deeper dive into the specific mechanisms through which different religious or spiritual groups (or their growth/decline) affect social cohesion or discord would strengthen the analysis. Overall, this paper appears to be a significant contribution to understanding the intricate relationship between global forces, local demography, and social solidarity in a multicultural society like Australia.

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