Foundations of Indian Psychology, Volume 1

6

Indian Psychological Thought in the Age of Globalization

John Pickering

In this chapter we will consider how Indian psychological thought may fare as globalization creates a new world order. Currently, globalization means Westernization, and hence a loss of cultural diversity. But with the rise of India and China a more even balance will emerge, within which Indian psychological thought will have the opportunity to play a more influential role than hitherto.

Information technology is a major driver of globalization and has brought about an exponential rise in communication and exchange; what Anthony Giddens calls ‘The Runaway World’ (Giddens, 2002). This is the most recent stage of modernity, the industrial-urban phase of human cultural evolution ...