The Missing Link

February 27, 2006

Radical Islam and the Political Landscape

I think Francis Fukuyama is right about this:

The dire diagnosis of Europe's domestic situation is perfectly justified: Well before last year's riots, the French internal intelligence agency noted that there were dozens of neighborhoods where the French police dared not set foot. The problem is how to address the situation from here on out, and the basic issues are clear. Governments need to clamp down on extremists and jihadists in ways that do not risk further alienating minority communities; their aim must be to integrate moderate Muslims better while avoiding a right-wing populist backlash. Unfortunately, anyone looking for more specific prescriptions from America—where, after all, assimilation has a long history—will find more sound and fury than useful insights.

I see the following dynamic: on the fringe right there are people willing to criticize radical Islam for the wrong reasons--they are racist and xenophobic, and their worldview is wrongheaded generally even if they are right that radical Islam poses a threat to Western Civilization.

In the vast middle most politicians are unwilling to condemn radical Islam or to vocally defend Western Civilization, though they know in their hearts that the former threatens freedom and basic human rights. They are cowed into silence by fear of appearing racist or xenophobic.

On the fringe left are those unwilling to criticize any culture or system of beliefs or ideas except whatever happens to predominate in the West. They label anyone who does criticize radical Islam, or who asserts the greatness of Western Civilization, as racist or ignorant.

In the United States and Europe there is a need for the vast middle to unite, articulating non-racist, non-xenophobic arguments for condemning radical Islam and defending Western Civilization. Moderate Muslims ought to be a part of this coalition.

Posted by Conor at February 27, 2006 02:24 PM