NCJ Number
123236
Journal
Terrorism Volume: 11 Issue: 5 Dated: (1988) Pages: 378-384
Date Published
1988
Length
7 pages
Annotation
The West and Islam must break the cycle of arrogance breeding contempt and fanaticism breeding paranoia and replace it with a willingness to engage in dialogue.
Abstract
Terrorism will continue in one form or another until specific changes are made within the internal structure of some States and the foreign policies of others. These changes would include allowing the Shi'i in Lebanon to share more power in the government and pressuring Israel to recognize Palestinian rights to self-determination. Terrorism highlights the lack of the institutionalization of grievance procedures, social change, and law and order in world politics. The remedy for terrorism requires the creation of regional and international standards to promote greater social justice and provide workable international mechanisms for dealing with terrorism. The United States can take the initiative in the United Nations and in regional organizations to establish institutions to deal with the demand side of terrorism: grievances of nongovernmental groups, arms transfers, and violations of human rights. A dialogue between representatives of the West and fanatical Muslims has the promise that each will realize it can benefit from the other without sacrificing precious cultural values.