Daily Times

The world is in the grip of forces of divisiveness, hatred and violence. Global extremism is thriving under various causes like populism, hyper-nationalism and religious fundamentalism. Despite fair economic conditions, the industrialized world has seen a boost in right-wing extremism. Criminals and thugs, including neo-Nazis, Ku Klux Clan, white supremacists, and other hate groups targeting blacks, immigrants and refugees.

In contrast, the Muslim world is paying the price for hate filled education and indoctrination in schools and madaris. Young Muslims are lured by Al Qaeda, the Islamic State and other violent jihadist groups to commit horrific acts of unspeakable cruelty. Even Hindu and Buddhist majority societies, usually considered peaceful are not immune to the extremist threats. This embrace of hate, among other challenges, poses a serious threat to democracies and societies.

Historically, warped ideologies have proven to be rigid, cruel, murderous and dangerous. Generally, these ideologies offer simple authoritarian solutions to complex social challenges. The worst acts of violence are rationalised by their perpetrators as being the fulfilment of great and true beliefs. Commonly, extremist groups feed off an ideology that generates fear, anger, despair, hate, etc. These groups emphasise physical and mental isolation, filtered or limited access to information, and have a perceived enemy or limited options. They also encourage a cult of personality, looking to a charismatic leader that manipulates and directs others — often perceived as divine or God’s spokesperson. Much like al-Qaeda and the Islamic State, right-wing terrorists in the West are inspired by their interpretations of religious concepts and scripture to lash out and kill in God’s name. The sense of being in a state of perpetual war and blaming others for problems are other common extremist traits.

Where state institutions fail, terrorist groups and warlords fill the gap

Moreover, modern extremists do not necessarily come from failed states alone. Homegrown terrorism in free and open societies and wealthy nations is the result of a complex set of social, economic and political factors. Interestingly, the dire economic conditions which resulted from the Great Depression in the United States in 1929, which helped fuel European extremism, don’t exist today. As we know, the impact of the Great Depression was particularly severe in Germany, which had enjoyed five years of artificial prosperity, propped up by American loans and goodwill. Unemployment hit millions of Germans, as companies shut down or downsized. Others lost their savings as banks folded. The dire conditions of the early 1930s led many German voters abandoning mainstream political parties and look to more radical alternatives, such as Adolf Hitler and the Nazi Party.

Confronting warped ideologies is an unenviable challenge for modern democracies and societies. It means defeating the ideas that twist so many young minds at their root. Of course, the available military, security and intelligence tools have a part to play in identifying and stopping extremist plots. But in the end, it is about winning the battle of ideas. To quote Dr Martin Luther King: “Hate begets hate; violence begets violence; toughness begets a greater toughness… Returning violence for violence multiplies violence, adding deeper darkness to a night already devoid of stars. Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that.”

While it is it is naïve to think that extremism can be eradicated, it is worth hoping that the problem can be better managed. Clearly, strengthening state institutions will play a part. We have seen where state institutions fail, terrorist groups and warlords fill the gap. Furthermore, instead of encouraging people to live apart, we need a clear sense of shared national identity, open to everyone. Another aspect of combating extremism is making democracy a success by promoting participation and inclusion; involving citizens in the decision-making processes; and life-long learning of democratic values. All societal institutions will be needed in this effort such as family, schools, businesses, media, religious houses of worship, politicians, civil society etc. The idea of a democracy providing political and economic justice, and where all citizens possess equal rights irrespective of caste, class or faith, should be strengthened.

We know that Islamist extremism is a political ideology, supported by a minority. It is backed by those who use terrorism to promote their ultimate goal: an entire Islamist realm, governed by an interpretation of sharia. But for far too long most of the Muslim world has lived according to the worldview of the mosque. The poor interpretation of religious texts and instruction by clerics has allowed extremism to flourish and allowed for people to embrace a misguided form of Islam. Also, leaders of Muslim countries have gone back to the hotbeds of extremism i.e. religious schools and mosques for governing purposes. This must change.

Overall, the key to containing extremism in all forms is a broad-based government with the proper building blocks of a free and democratic society. The government and society must ensure press freedom and offer protection to women and minorities who are most vulnerable to extremism. Not just lives are at stake, but humanity itself.

The writer can be reached at shgcci@gmail.com

Published in Daily Times, October 7^th 2017.