Socio-Economic Roots of Radicalism? Towards Explaining the Appeal of Islamic Radicals

Abstract

Why do "Islamic radicals" enjoy so much sympathy in the Middle East and wider Muslim world? The author argues that such radicalism is a political response to the deepening economic, social, political, and cultural crisis in the Muslim World. Rapid demographic growth, educational changes, government policy failure, and rapid urbanization are among the causes of high unemployment, and increasing poverty, which, together with other forces, have alienated large sectors of Muslim youth. The regional crisis has deep historical roots, and simple "solutions" do not exist. A long-term strategy is needed. Elements of that strategy include recognition of the limits of American power in the face of this multidimensional crisis, concrete steps to resolve the Palestinian problem, and improved intelligence cooperation and covert actions. The future of the region belongs to young Muslims: we should ask of any proposed policy: how will they interpret our actions?

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Jul 01, 2003
Accession Number
ADA416610

Entities

People

  • Alan Richards

Organizations

  • United States Army War College

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Biomedical

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Birds
  • Business Administration
  • Central Asia
  • Economic Policy
  • Economics
  • Education
  • Employment
  • Governments
  • Middle East
  • National Security
  • Organizational Structure
  • Personnel Management
  • Political Ideologies
  • Political Systems
  • United States
  • Violence
  • War Colleges

Readers

  • Economics
  • Political Violence and Terrorism Studies.