"The Clash of Civilizations" (Kelsey Hunter, Week 13 Substantive)

Akbar Ahmed's chapter "The Clash of Civilizations" makes some very interesting and important points about why the problems between the West and especially the Muslim world may exist. There are several important quotations I'd like to discuss.

"Many observers agree that responsibility and awareness are being abandoned as a result of globalization, even among political leaders" (p. 198). Ahmed discussed the emphasis placed on individualism in American society and how it takes away from the community, which is an important entity in Muslim societies. Globalization is responsible for individualism being emphasized around the world, as Americanization accompanies globalization and may be the same thing. As other countries are forced to compete with American products and in American markets, those countries must adopt individualism and abandon some of the responsibilities that were formerly inherent in their societies. He believes that Americans live in bubbles, especially those white-upper class Americans, and they are out of touch with other races, cultures, and ethnicities as well as out of touch with events happening globally or in other parts of their own city. Most importantly, while little is done to engage these other groups, even less is done to dispel stereotypes about these groups. The stereotypes, especially against the Muslim community, are being enforced by video games, tv, movies, and the news and even go so far as to discourage tolerance of non-Christians. (I was really appalled when I read this, because I had no idea such things existed. However, I was not surprised they existed.) The "climate of fear and hatred" is being perpetuated by the media, Hollywood, and talk show hosts. Ahmed dedicates several pages to discussing this climate of fear and those who have perpetuated it. My post about the Lehigh Center for Islamic Studies was exactly about this climate of fear and hatred, a climate that still exists and seems to be worsening 6 years after 9/11. This is further evidenced by the incident on Jerry Klein's radio show in 2006! (p. 208).

Another quotation is from the end of the chapter "a giant step in the way of creating trust and goodwill would be to reach out to the Muslim world and emphasize respect for its culture and religion" (p. 243). This followed his discussion of the disastrous attempts of Americans to "help or control" the Muslim world, including the U.S. actions in Iran in the 1970s which created such a backlash against America and the American backed government that the Ayatollah Khomeini was able to take over. So Ahmed believes that the U.S. shouldn't back allies of convenience in the middle east (like Pakistan) by giving them military support, but rather give them support for their educational programs to create alternatives to the radical madrassahs that have become so popular as a response to the increased distrust and hatred for the West. I think this view is exactly how the U.S. should proceed, but proceed with extreme caution. The attitudes of both Americans and Muslims (well at least the radical segments of these populations) will not change overnight and more will need to be done than just provide funding for education. Stronger diplomatic relations, rather than military, need to begin. Promoting cultural and religious understanding both at home and abroad is also important, but as pointed out in class, these need to be more broad based than just exchanges between elites.

I do believe the clash of civilizations is here, but I don't think it has to be here to stay.