This unit will focus on the impact of terrorism on the developments in the Middle East and the importance of the acceptance of violence as a means of settling disputes.

The following factors are important in understanding the conflicts in this area:

1. COLONIALISM - The history of Western countires in the Middle East is an important factor in understanding how decisions and polices made by Western antions are viewed in the Arab and non-Arab states in the Middle East. Colonialism is an economic as well as political relationship and the sense of being controlled by Westerners is a pervasive view to which many people respond.

2. NATIONALISM - the idea of a nation state is still a developing concept. People still view family relationships as primary in terms of obligations and responsibilities and the demands of the country for a wider allegience do not carry as much weight.

3. TERRORISM - A POLITICAL TOOL- terrorism gets attention locally and world-wide, gives a sense of accomplishment and respect and is easily exported.

- IDENTITY - for people with little self-esteem or sense of connection or of a personal future. Terrorism provides an identity with meaning. You are a "freedom fighter". It enables young men and women to have a sense of self-sacrifice for family, religion, leaders, that is not found elsewhere in society and gives sense of pride.

- SOURCE OF CHEAP INFLUENCE- terrorism has appeal because it is less costly than other methods of making demands known.

4. RELIGIOUS IDENTITY / REDEFINITION AND EXPANSION - Islam has been undergoing an expansion in membership as it promises to provide a sense of meaning for life in all phases, a locus for dissent from local rulers and an answer to the confusion presented by modern life. It praises frugal living, rejection of costly Wesern lifestyles, and immersion in a non-worldly way of life.

5. WESTERNIZATION AND REJECTION (CAPITALISM / SOCIALISM / MARXISM) - although many desire to live an oppulent rich lifestyle as depicted in the Western media, most are not financially able to do so, inability to acquire this can be seen as personal failure, therefore if you canot financially compete making it a religious choice puts you in a morally superior position rather than a down position.

Western political and economic systems are seen as having failed when tried in Middle Eastern Moslem countries therefore, Western ideas have become discredited by that failure.

CULTURAL PENETRATION / CORRUPTION - Many view Western lifestyles as morally reprehensive and destructive of family life. These attitudes are seen as being imposed by Western societies as part and parcel of the economic and political systems developed in Europe; that freedom equals license which is disrupting to traditional family authority.

6. ZIONISM AND THE CREATION OF ISRAEL - the state of Israel is seen as a creation of Western governments to meet the needs of Western societies imposed upon Arab nations and at their expense. Israel is seen as a Western society that has a way of life more similar to Europe than to other Middle Eastern countries and therefore not of the region. Zionism, the return to an Israeli homeland in Palestine, is rejected by many Middle Eastern states which do not accept Jewish claims to a land they left almost 2,000 years ago.

DISPLACEMENT OF PALESTINIAN ARABS - the creation of refugee Palestinian populations throughout the Middle East is seen as the impoverishment of Arabs for the benefit of Jews and another way in which the West has imposed it demands without seeking approval or support from those who will loose land and property as a result.

7. LAND CLAIMS / USE The biggest questions is "Whose land is this?" Who has the right to settle here? What claims are valid and which are not? Who decides? There is little agreement on these issues.

8. CIVIL WAR / POLITICAL INSTABILITY - in addition to economic instability, within each country, leaders cannot be sure of support for their decisions from the population and this is a factor in the positions and stands that they take. There are extremist groups which seek to control the government and impose an Islamic state that will use terrorism and assassination as an acceptable means. These groups and their activities make it difficult for leaders to rule.

NATION STATE / SUB-GROUPS - within each country is diversity based on religion, clan, class and party.

9. ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT / DISTRIBUTION OF WEALTH The distribution of wealth within each country and the growth of the population and poverty are important internal problems needing to be addressed.

10. PEACE -WHAT DOES IT MEAN? WHO DECIDES? Who is responsible for peace in the region? How are transgressors dealt with? Whose authority is sufficient to keep others in line? Is the right of Israel to exist recognized?

Return to Soc 315 or Soc 315 schedule.