CL4Simulation Listening Exam – Level B212/2007

Prof. Peter Cullen

Text

Listen to the following text about global cultural conflict.

(from The Economist – The World in 2008, December, 2007)

The Culture Wars Go Global

One of the most remarkable changes in American politics in the past half-century has been the rise of the “values voter”, focusing on themes such as religious belief and the traditional family. Religious conservatives have helped make the culture wars a part of American politics. The easiest way to tell whether a white American is a Democrat or a Republican has not been to ask him or her how much money he has, but rather how often he goes to church. Over half of George Bush’s votes in 2004 came from white evangelicals.

In 2008 the culture wars may well count for much less. Even evangelicals are tired of the incompetence of the Republican Party. As well, the leading Democrats have toned down their side of the culture wars, talking less about “reproductive rights” and more about their own religious credentials.

The idea of the “values vote” evaporating into the politics of the centre will annoy the old warhorses of the religious right in America. God will probably not be as omnipresent in the 2008 presidential election as he has been in the past.

Expect, instead, to hear more talk of God in politics outside America. The culture wars that have dominated American politics are gradually going global. That is partly because politics in many countries is following the American model. With most of the big economic debates settled, politics is focussing on cultural issues, such as the importance of the family in society. That is giving a fresh role to the West’s traditional cultural warrior – the Catholic Church – as well as to younger evangelical organisations – many of them American imports.

Second, religious belief is growing – especially outside Western Europe. Above all, religion is becoming a matter of choice, not inheritance – and once people choose to become born-again Christians, fundamentalist Muslims, or committed Hindus, they also become more likely to make a fuss about religion in public life.

So, if India holds an election in 2008, its possible nuclear deal with America may be overshadowed by the anger surrounding a bridge that the god Ram and a team of monkeys built from the Indian mainland to the island of Sri Lanka. India’s secular Congress party has talked about blowing a hole in the bridge to make room for shipping. That the bridge is a natural geological formation, and largely under water, doesn’t cool arguments about its religious significance. In Turkey, as well, there will be a clash over the constitution. The Islamist AK party in Turkeywants to get rid of the ban on headscarves at universities. In South Korea, the Protestant mega-churches have formed a New Right Movement party to demand a tougher approach to North Korea.

Many of the issues in the global culture wars will be familiar, such as abortion and gay marriage. Three new issues could emerge, however. The first is the United Nations – often a target for American conservatives because of its secularism. The second is genetic cloning – a cause that unites anti-abortion activists with the wider chorus of believers. Last is the environment – or “creation care” as religious people like to call it. The idea that man is ruining God’s dominion could yet become the biggest culture war of all.

CL4Simulation Listening Exam 2 – Level B2May 2007

Prof. Peter Cullen

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Name, Date, and Registration Number

Questions: Answer 5 of the following 6 questions – each question answered is worth 6 points, assigned according to accuracy of the answer and ability to respond in correct English. SIMPLE AND CORRECT IS BETTER THAN COMPLICATED AND WRONG. USE SHORT PHRASES AND SENTENCES.

This exam requires interpretation and analysis. It is designed to test your ability to apply what you hear to possible discussion areas.

  1. What does the speaker mean by the term “values voter”?
  1. Why are political culture wars in America moving toward the centre?
  1. Why are political culture wars becoming more important outside America?
  1. Why is the concept of religious choice important to fuelling “culture wars” in politics outside the US?
  1. Give two examples of religious interests in national politics in countries outside the US, according to the text.
  1. Why do religious people refer to environmental protection as “creation care”?

CL4Simulation Listening Exam 1 – Level B2May 2007

Prof. Peter Cullen

Answer Sheet

  1. What does the speaker mean by the term “values voter”?

voters that make political choices based on their concept of family and religious values.

  1. Why are political culture wars in America moving toward the centre?

because voters are tired of the Republican Party’s incompetence and because the Democratic Party is becoming more focused on their own religious credentials

  1. Why are political culture wars becoming more important outside America?

because many countries have adopted the American model, which allows more choice and raises more cultural issues.

  1. How is religious choice affecting the “culture wars” in politics outside the US?

because choosing or converting to a new religion makes people more assertive about their religious rights and values – forcing debate in politics.

  1. Give two examples of religious interests in national politics in countries outside the US, according to the text.

The Hindus and the Sri Lanka bridge

The AK party and the Turkish constitution on the topic of headscarves

The New Right Party in S. Korea to pressure N. Korea

  1. Why do religious people refer to environmental protection as “creation care”?

Because the Earth is thought to be “God’s creation” and Man is ruining it.

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