In the late 20th century, the world has grown increasingly smaller because of advances in technology and the erosion of the nation-state as political paradigm. The process of globalization-with its promises of a common culture, a common currency, and common government-offers a new political model for the world that fosters unity and comminity. At the same time, however, this process threatens to distroy the values, norms, and ideals that particular cultures have wrought and established and to thereby diminish the power of each culture's unique identity. As globalization occurs, society must decide which values will be narmative and what roles that social institutiions like religion and education will play in slecting and fostering these values.