Religious Super-diversity and Peacebuilding across Asia and its Diasporas explores super-diversity, particularly within religious contexts, and the practice of peacebuilding. The authors examine how these themes intersect, and combine theoretical discussions with real world case studies.
Steven Vertovec's seminal 2007 article introduced the concept of super-diversity, highlighting its transformative implications for immigration. Despite initial acclaim, super-diversity has faced criticism from scholars questioning its novelty and practical utility. Critiques include its ambiguous nature, challenges in quantifying complexity, and discrepancies in global migration patterns. However, the term has expanded across disciplinary boundaries and geographical contexts. Religion, once peripheral to discussions of super-diversity, has gained prominence and religious pluralism has become a key aspect of many researchers offering insights into contemporary society's complexity. Throughout history, cultural relations have been marked by collisions and reshaping, accelerated by global migration and interconnectedness. Pluralism, while enriching society, may also engender conflicts, highlighting the need for comprehensive understanding and promotion of sustainable citizenship. This entails embracing diversity, fostering inclusion, and promoting mutual respect and equal participation for all members of society.
This book recognizes the intricate relationship between super-diversity and peacebuilding. It employs empirical analyses spanning diverse geographical areas such as Syria, Indonesia, Nepal, Vietnam, and Asian diasporas in Italy. Through the lens of various religious contexts including Islam, Buddhism, Hinduism, Catholic Christianity, as well as "Traditional" and "Indigenous" religions, the authors explore how historical and anthropological narratives shape conflicts and their nonviolent transformation. They provide valuable insights into the multifaceted nature of contemporary society and the complexities involved in fostering peace amidst diversity.
