Why do radical muslims hate the USA?

[Yaype]

While the U.S. may have put its nose in places some believe it does not belong, I do not think that the foreign policy of our country is entirely to blame for the hatred of not only radical Islamic fundamentlalists, but many others as well. The U.S. has the largest economy in the world (for a single country at least) with all the benefits such an economy provide. On top of that, we have more freedoms than any other country in the world.

Don't get me wrong--I know the U.S. has made mistakes in the past and continues to make them, but the disparity in individual wealth and freedoms must be examined as a cause of hatred towards the U.S. as well. Others have pointed out that returning to a state of isolationism would actually be welcome for many Americans tired of being hated by much of the rest of hte world. I agree with this to an extent, but it simply is not a choice. Until other countries stop asking for our aid, we can not simply cordone ourselves off from the rest of the world.

One last thing. I know somebody already pointed out that allowances made by the rest of Europe in the 1930s were in large part to blame for World War 2, but I wanted to point that out again. Simply withdrawing into your own country and allowing others to do what they will might be a nice temporary solution for your own country, but it does not lead to continual peace in any way whatsoever. Look to the past before proceeding into the future.

 

[ClashofCivs]

@Duddha

The map was created to show the broad cultural categories different countries could be considered to fall in. Also there are many aspects to the clash of civilizations idea that is valid. There are quite a few conflicts in which the allies of a particular state help it due to cultural similarity. Some examples being the former Yugoslavia, the Kasmir conflict, and the Israel/Palestine conflict. It is also very noticeable that there is considerable competition to international events between nations of very different cultures. Another thing interesting thing that the book goes into is about modernization and whether there is only one universal Westerm type of culture that enables a country to modernize. There are quite a few examples that show that there are modernized non-western states. Of course, the idea isn't 100% accurate however it is more accurate than the purely state interest paradigms that many advocate. My ideas are based on other things as well.

 

[Duddha]

@Clashof Civs

I'm sorry, but with the little knowledge I have, I know the the "clash of civilizations" thesis has almost no basis in history. When it comes down to it, the thesis is just a repackaged piece of the cold war. Now, you are correct in praising Huntignton (a cold warrior on the NSC) for understanding that "modernization" is not restricted to only "western" countries. This aspect makes him a little less oreintalist. However, we must remember that Huntignton was a student of Bernard Lewis, the most active oreintalist out there. It is easy to see how Lewis' thesis about the mulsim world carries over into Huntignton. I guess when you come down to it, Huntignton is a better alternative than the current outright imperialist neo-conservatives/neo-Hagelians/Fukuyamaites or whatever you want to call them, sitting in the White House.

My main gripe with Huntignton, is that he believes that people from these seperate "civilizations" can never truely live in peace with one another because their "fundemental" cultural differences prevent them from doing so. All I have to do is look through experiences in my life and locations on that "scientific" map to know that is outright not the case. You should look up a great atricle by Richard Rubenstein and Jarle Crocker that appeared in a Fall 1994 edition of Foreign Affairs rebuffing Huntignton. It followed Huntignton's publication of his thesis in the same journal.

@all Bernard Lewis/Huntignton/Neo-Con fans

If you want to be true to any sense of reason, or intellectual persuit, you will read the opposing veiw point in Edward Said's Oreintalism, or Stewart Hall's The West and the Rest. Then, maybe, you can begin to decide which side has the correct analytical perspective in approaching the question of "why they hate us?".

 

[The Art of War]

Originally posted by Jorge


USA has troops in many places besides Iraq. I think that if USA would only mind their bussiness they wouldn't be so hated. At least nobody seems to hate Swizerland for example.

With great power comes great responisibility. Also, when we try to help, you b***h. When we don't help, you b***h.

 

[The Art of War]

Originally posted by Drewcifer


We are all still waiting for the Middle Eastern Ghandi. He will probably be murdered by some zealot though...

Have you read Sum of All Fears, by Clancy? There's a character in there, a Muslim 20 something year old, who is leading a peaceful revolution, and the Israelis end up shooting him...interesting thought, though.

 

[The Art of War]

Israel was actually there before the Palestinians. The Phillistines, distant ancestors of the Palestinians, kicke out the Tribes of Israel in BC times.