To begin with, there is a great number of contemporary trends nowadays. As a result, only general notions might be discussed due to their influence on society. From the anthropological perspective, the vast majority of trends could be criticized by using even the most primitive methods of qualitative analysis. On the other hand, research methods cannot offer such a great variety of critical approaches to the global trends’ analysis. Consequently, the main trends that can be easily discussed by using an anthropological approach are religion and nationalism.
On the one hand, religion is experiencing differentiation throughout the world. From the anthropological perspective, this trend mainly depends on the type of cultural relativism’s influence on the specific belief. However, the main anthropologists’ opinion about religion as a global trend is that it affects society significantly due to the effect of the “sacred and profane” approach to treating things. When the object is sacred, they should treat it concerning the traditions and care after every usage. On the other hand, when the object is considered to be profane, religious people refuse to treat it with a normal attitude.
The religious division also influences medical anthropology, which studies the main causes of illness and how to treat them in the specific surrounding. Turning to research methods, they are specialized in working with religion and other processes internally. Eventually, the main attitude to religion as a global trend might be formed by comparing, describing, and interpreting different beliefs.
On the other hand, when it comes to nationalism, it is crucial to analyze Michael Herzfeld’s ideas and definitions about this trend. From the anthropologist’s point of view, it is a special power that unites people of the same nationality. During the whole history, this trend developed in many directions. For instance, when it comes to war, anthropologists state that nationalism is the most helpful method of defense and attack at the same time. In the media zone, scientists support the idea of the importance of nationalism when it comes to migration issues as the main defense against this obstacle.
Research methods provide both internal and external comparisons of nationalism as a society’s trend. While comparing different attitudes to this phenomenon, scientists may begin their criticism about nationalism trend due to disruptive effect on the global society’s development.