Religion and the global middle class: towards a new research agenda. Issue 5 (3rd September 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Agbaria, Ayman K.
• Is Part Of: Discourse. Volume 40:Issue 5(2019)
• Page Start: 734
• Page End: 742
• Publication Date: 2019-09-03
• Subjects: Global middle class -- religion -- transnationalism -- cosmopolitanism -- religious education -- Islamic education -- identity formation -- transnational religious networks; Education -- Periodicals; Education -- Australia -- Periodicals; 370.5
• DOI: 10.1080/01596306.2019.1602307
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0159-6306

Abstract

ABSTRACT: This essay discusses the role of religion as a central facet when researching the emerging social group – the global middle class (GMC). It is argued here that religion is a particularly relevant feature for the constitution of this social group because of the GMC's transnational and cosmopolitan character. In this essay, I will draw on several examples focused on Islamic education provision in Western, pre-dominantly Christian societies to illustrate why and how religion should become critical to our study of the GMC. The essay's central argument is that there remains a gap in research related to the role of religion in the making and practising of the GMC as a social group. I conclude by proposing a future research agenda that addresses the intersections of religion, education, and the GMC on an individual, national, and global level.