It seems that is most every place, in the US or abroad, the ability to structure communal life towards God and the attainment of eternal life cannot be extended outside of the bounds of a family without the most fervent reaction against.
This is equally prevalent on the "right" and "left" sides of the political divide. Both of these political ideologies are fundamentally centered on one principle, that man exists for his own sake. Both capitalism and socialism are different political manifestations of the same underlying principle. Once the principle has become dogmatized, it simply becomes a prudential matter of which better achieves this wicked end, and which form more pleasingly fills the space of the communal mind that has been made void by the rejection of God.
With the seeming omnipresence of this political and cultural order, my interest is in hearing which modern peoples are most resilient to the global revolution that has taken place in this regard over the past centuries. I am asking both of nations, and of political movements that have not yet attained their desired end. However, it is my understanding that no nation of this sort exists, but I would be very glad to find evidence of the contrary. Yet even if there be not hope in this life, there always has been in the next.
Least Liberal Societies
Re: Least Liberal Societies
Fascinating question!
I would say the most illiberal societies are certainly Islamic and South Asian societies. Islamic societies in South Asia such as Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Afghanistan are particularly illiberal. Most of the Islamic world in general is illiberal, though some regions like Central Asia have become quite liberal.
An argument can be made that Afghanistan under Taliban rule is the most illiberal society right now. Traditional Afghan society is very conservative and the Taliban, which promotes a reformed, militant version of Deobandism (with Wahhabi influences) along with Pashtun tribal customs. It must be noted that their theology is not as systematic or Puritanical as the Wahhabists or Salafis. The Wahhabis did indeed have significant influence in Saudi Arabia, having begun there, but the country has somewhat relented to liberal and American influences.
My own family is of Hindu Indian origin and I can attest that India is also an illiberal society, probably on par with much of the Islamic world. Hindus, Muslims, and Christians in India are all quite illiberal and conservative. The Christians of India probably are among the most traditional in the world.
Although I grew up in the United States, I am quite familiar with the culture of India and understand it's social mores well. I will briefly try to describe the general attitudes of the culture. Arranged marriage is still the norm, and marrying for love is rare and stigmatized. In the modern day, it has become standard for the couple to become acquainted at the parlor under parental supervision, but my very own grandparents had not even met face-to-face before their wedding, a practice which still continues in rural areas. Casual dating, pre-marital intimacy, and general promiscuity is still considered scandalous, and would destroy the reputation of a woman! Women also dress modestly, covering most of their figure, even at the beach. Lifetime divorce rate is around 1%. Friendships and close relations with the opposite sex will raise eyebrows. Marriages are quite patriarchal.
Most people also generally consider it important to marry within the caste and many strongly identify with their caste or clan. although caste-based discrimination has been supplanted with extreme affirmative action every since independence, caste and racial solidarity is commonplace. There is also tension between different religions, though it is driven more by ingroup loyalty than outright hostility. Most people are not devoutly religious or god-fearing but secularism and atheism is rare.
I would rank the social attitudes of the median person in different countries/regions roughly as follows, in terms of stages of Western social liberalism. I'm going off intuition here.
2020s - North America, Western Europe, Southern Europe, Japan
2000s - Latin America, Eastern Europe
1980s - South Korea, Taiwan, Southeast Asia
1970s - China, Central Asia, Christian Sub-Saharan Africa
1930s - Liberal areas of MENA
1900s - India, most of Muslim world
Pre-1700s - Conservative Muslim countries like Afghanistan, perhaps parts of the Sahel.
I would say the most illiberal societies are certainly Islamic and South Asian societies. Islamic societies in South Asia such as Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Afghanistan are particularly illiberal. Most of the Islamic world in general is illiberal, though some regions like Central Asia have become quite liberal.
An argument can be made that Afghanistan under Taliban rule is the most illiberal society right now. Traditional Afghan society is very conservative and the Taliban, which promotes a reformed, militant version of Deobandism (with Wahhabi influences) along with Pashtun tribal customs. It must be noted that their theology is not as systematic or Puritanical as the Wahhabists or Salafis. The Wahhabis did indeed have significant influence in Saudi Arabia, having begun there, but the country has somewhat relented to liberal and American influences.
My own family is of Hindu Indian origin and I can attest that India is also an illiberal society, probably on par with much of the Islamic world. Hindus, Muslims, and Christians in India are all quite illiberal and conservative. The Christians of India probably are among the most traditional in the world.
Although I grew up in the United States, I am quite familiar with the culture of India and understand it's social mores well. I will briefly try to describe the general attitudes of the culture. Arranged marriage is still the norm, and marrying for love is rare and stigmatized. In the modern day, it has become standard for the couple to become acquainted at the parlor under parental supervision, but my very own grandparents had not even met face-to-face before their wedding, a practice which still continues in rural areas. Casual dating, pre-marital intimacy, and general promiscuity is still considered scandalous, and would destroy the reputation of a woman! Women also dress modestly, covering most of their figure, even at the beach. Lifetime divorce rate is around 1%. Friendships and close relations with the opposite sex will raise eyebrows. Marriages are quite patriarchal.
Most people also generally consider it important to marry within the caste and many strongly identify with their caste or clan. although caste-based discrimination has been supplanted with extreme affirmative action every since independence, caste and racial solidarity is commonplace. There is also tension between different religions, though it is driven more by ingroup loyalty than outright hostility. Most people are not devoutly religious or god-fearing but secularism and atheism is rare.
I would rank the social attitudes of the median person in different countries/regions roughly as follows, in terms of stages of Western social liberalism. I'm going off intuition here.
2020s - North America, Western Europe, Southern Europe, Japan
2000s - Latin America, Eastern Europe
1980s - South Korea, Taiwan, Southeast Asia
1970s - China, Central Asia, Christian Sub-Saharan Africa
1930s - Liberal areas of MENA
1900s - India, most of Muslim world
Pre-1700s - Conservative Muslim countries like Afghanistan, perhaps parts of the Sahel.
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ZombieVampir
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Re: Least Liberal Societies
Orthodox Judaism and the Hasidic movements are also very Illiberal. Hasidism in particular also very Monarchist. I'm more familiar with the Hasidic Jews than the Orthodox Jews. The Hasidic Jews Believe that their Rabbis are close to God and in Direct contact with him as spokesmen on Earth. Both Hasidism and Orthodoxy believe that the Babylonian Talmud is THE interpretation of the Torah (Some Hasidic branches have their own books that function as Talmuds) and anything that goes against it, or anyone who tries to interpret or argue anything Different is Idolatrous.
Neo-Hasidic philosophy is still not Liberal but Surprisingly Liberal for an "Orthodox" movement.
Neo-Hasidic philosophy is still not Liberal but Surprisingly Liberal for an "Orthodox" movement.