ABSTRACT
Globalization rearranges the work lives and economic well-being of the entire population of the Earth, sometimes for good, sometimes for ill, but always, one way or the other. The progressive traditions of the modern era have caused many to believe that change is always good. Powerful forces in the Arab world, quite to the contrary, seek to preserve and extended traditional society and social norms–not so very different, really, from powerful forces in the West seeking to turn back secular humanism and return society to fundamental Christian values. Religiously based social capital is what allowed the Xi'an Muslims of China to rescue their Drum Tower from the forces of redevelopment. Thus, the Jews, the Arabs, and the Christians all consider themselves the modern heirs of Abraham's Promised Land–and have been willing to fight to the death over and over again throughout history to claim their birthright.
