The advent of modernity appears to have salient effects on various constructs of the 19^th and 20^th century in the world today. Islamic cosmopolitanism, for example, has redefined the way the globe views the religion and backed the reasoning behind militant ideas in the Arab World and the spread of progressive ideas in countries such as Iran (NederveenPieterse 156). The Italian Renaissance during the fourteenth century is regarded as the genesis of the modern economic orders such as capitalism and the growth of the literal scene. This paper will read through selected chapters and seek to formulate meaningful questions inspired by the readings.

Islam and Cosmopolitanism

The chapter talks about Islamic Cosmopolitanism as a medium of bringing modern civilization in an otherwise conservative Islamic world. NederveenPieterse reckons that the current world order seems to draw a parallel between American hegemony and militant Islam (156). However, the latter seems to offer a platform whereby mainstream views, hegemonic policy, and the majority of progressive views seem to converge (NederveenPieterse 156). Cosmopolitanism caries a normative charge, convictions backed with cultural beliefs, and intellectual depth. Recent technological advancements provide an avenue for global interconnections across various cultural domains. Will the intellectual depth, cultural heritage,and the normative charge behind Islamic Cosmopolitanism inspire a convergence of views with the idea of modernity held by Washington and the rest of the Western world after years of conflict between the constructs?

The perceived disharmony between the European perspective and Islamic cosmopolitanism are unhealthy in the pursuit of global justice. Tensions between the two factions appear to have thawed in recent times, as shown in the signing of the Kyoto protocol and use of the International Criminal Court to settle disputes. Should Islamic cosmopolitanism be rethought, therefore, in the face of a highly volatile environment of neoliberalism and the hostile and aggressive American hegemony?

The Idea of Renaissance

The chapter credits a combination of various historical events such as the advent of the Italian Renaissance, and ancient practices of the Indians and the Chinese as the basis of Capitalism as it exists today. The ideology of capitalism traces its roots to various cultures of the Eurasian literature culture that developed rapidly since the Bronze Age through exchanging goods and information by different parties. From a comparative perspective, what is the role of the Italian Renaissance in the development of the modern world order? What was the extent of other cultures such as Indians and the Chinese in the development of the construct of capitalism as we know it today?

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