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There are two trends in modern cultural life which seem to act in opposite directions, namely the globalization of the economy and the rise of sectarian thinking – whether expressed on the basis of race, religion or nationality. One has the potential to create a world of homogenous consumption, a world which is united through the medium of a completely uniform commericalized culture. The other would preserve diversity through the creation of rigid lines of demarcation between 'them' and 'us', lines whose crossing would not be tolerated. What these two competing visions have in common is that neither acknowledges the full richness of the relationship which human beings are able to create and to recreate anew with each other and with their environment.