The paper dissects the aspects of democracy and culture as they relate to terrorism as revealed by Barber and Rothstein. According to Barber, democratic nations foster the construction of cooperation and benevolence of interdependence in fighting terror. The globalization onslaught has exposed societies to new cultures, products, and services. Most of these facets emerging from Western nations have championed what would be considered immoral and disgraceful to religious communities that Rothstein argues has elicited terrorism. The balance between democracy and culture relies on the interpretation and distinctive application of these elements in tackling the issue of terrorism.
Barber’s Arguments
Barber’s solution to terrorism rests with democracy that emblems the pursuit of human rights and ideals that retain sovereign independence for nations. In this regard, democracies have emerged secure from the collective facets of violence, religious, and ethnic fundamentalism (Barber, 2002). Muslim majority nations that have adopted a democratic rule have envisaged insulation from various forms of terrorism, whether domestically or internationally. On the other hand, totalitarian countries particularly those in the Middle East have continued to perpetuate acts of terror.
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According to Barber, in Pakistan, for example, the government has allowed terrorism to flourish by seeing through fundamentalists that operate thousands of madrasah schools teaching about holy wars. The case of Pakistan contrasts that of democratic friendly nations such as Turkey, Bangladesh, and Turkey that have record low levels of terror.
Barber talks about culture as a unification of ideas and behaviors by groups of individuals and societies. They are defined by multiple facets including religion and tendencies of people. The American culture has emerged as the global popular culture thanks to globalization. McDonald's and Coca-cola among other products have shifted the perception and behaviors of individuals. He explains this as a new form of colonization that supersedes the military one.
Rothstein’s Arguments
Rothstein’s argument concerning the role of democracy in eliciting terrorism stems from the nihilistic influence that mass culture brings upon tastes and morals of different individuals (Rothstein, 2002). As defined by Dwight Macdonald, mass culture encompasses absolute freedom of choice that goes beyond religious, traditional, style, and authority constraints. According to Rothstein, capitalism and cultural changes have resulted in response to one another. Commercial culture has envisaged the expansion of attention to capturing different aspects that address material needs.
The nihilistic influences emerging from popular culture have annoyed Islamic totalitarianism. Mass culture, particularly through mass media has brought about the introduction of behaviors that are considered immoral by different societies. Spreading such cultures in these territories brings about repulsion expressed through terror acts ignited by selective engagement of religious doctrines. Jihad groups have regularly claimed to derive their passion for terrorism using the holy book of Koran. Undoubtedly, Western cultures, particularly the American culture has expanded throughout the world far and wide. However, this has cultivated a platform where religious extremists exploited to push forward terror agendas.
Rothstein’s definition of culture puts into perspective the influence of mass culture on societies today. According to him, culture influences behaviors and beliefs of individuals. Such influences differ regardless of the effect of economic forces particularly capitalism pointing the case example of communist China. The perpetuation of the culture in different territories where that are considered immoral explains the rebuff through terror activities emerging from Islamic totalitarian nations.
Conclusion
Barber and Rothstein delve into the aspects of democracy and culture concerning terrorism by giving valuable insights. Putting democracy to good use ultimately enables countries to enjoy peace and stability thereby alleviating the need for wars that pose disastrous effects. On the other hand, trying to impose cultures on new territories in the pretext of democracy remains a barrier to achieving the peace that is good for humanity.
References
Barber, B. (2002, January 21). Beyond Jihad Vs. McWorld. The Nation . Retrieved from: https://www.thenation.com/article/beyond-jihad-vs-mcworld/
Rothstein, E. (2002, March 2). Damning (Yet Desiring) Mickey and the Big Mac. The New York Times . Retrieved from: http://www.nytimes.com/2002/03/02/arts/damning-yet-desiring-mickey-and-the-big-mac.html
