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In this article I review a cultural perspective on religion and suggest that cultural analysis resolves current debates over the nature of religion as either collectivist or individualist. I use one type of cultural analysis, institutionalism, to present an interpretive overview of religious change and movements in historical contexts of global instrumental rationality, in particular the expansion of state authority. The usefulness of this approach is revealed in interpreting Protestantism in the United States, Islamic fundamentalism, and movements and trends in global Roman Catholicism.While not reflecting precisely the views of the authors of this collection, this article introduces the studies of the recent restructuring of religion in the United States (Robert Wuthnow), Islamic fundamentalisms in Iran and Syria (Mansoor Moaddel). and global Roman Catholicism (Jose Casanova).

A framework of world-polity institutionalism is used to present an overview of the origins, development, & functions of international nongovernmental organizations (INGOs), 1875-1973. INGOs are seen as the principal organizational field in which world culture takes structural form, as well as embodiments of universalism, individualism, rational voluntaristic authority, progress, & world citizenship. The distribution of INGOs across social sectors & over time is described, noting how INGOs influence how world culture is viewed as a distinct level of social reality. It is contended that most rationalized structures are formulated with specific, functionalist goals, & the great majority of INGOs reflect a world culture oriented to intellectual, technical, & economic rationalization. However, some smaller sectors, eg, human rights organizations, reflect state failure to live up to accepted principles, while others are intended to provide relief after state breakdown. In addition, INGOs focused on sports/leisure often reify the world polity via ritualized global events. 3 Tables, 5 Figures, 1 Appendix. J. Lindroth