Stemming Radicalism: An Economic Solution?

Will's comments are right on. We need increased religious education in the U.S. so that students are better prepared to deal with disparate peoples they encounter in our increasingly globalized, hyper-interconnected world. Will's ideas can be implemented through educational legislation passed by the House, Senate and local government to increase the time spent on teaching about other religions. Such change can be achieved by lobbying politicians and creating grassroots movements focused specifically on education.

One question it would be interesting to address, however, is what fuels radicalism? The reason the question is so fascinating is because many believe that if we can understand the root reason people become radicalized we can work to prevent such radicalization in the future, even if we might not be able to affect change in those who have taken the path of extremism.

Scholars, of course, have written extensively on this very question and the answers provided range from discontent with encroachment of Western, materialistic ideals into Muslim countries, to frustration centering around the Israeli/Palestinian Conflict, to desperation in light of living in societies where jobs are scarce and living conditions poor, to extreme religious indoctrination from a young age.

One of the great questions which fascinates me is whether true economic investment in the Middle East could prevent individuals from joining the likes of organizations like Al-Qaeda, or whether such a proposal is merely wishful thinking and other solutions must be pursued. I do believe, as do many others, that economic prosperity is often the catalyst for moderation and avoiding violence.

The idea would be to provide vast aid to Muslim countries--a Marshall plan of sorts--to help them build up extensive infrastructure, thus providing jobs to the people on the ground, leaving less time for radicalism. This would not be money provided with democratic strings attached. We would not attempt to tell these countries how they should be run, but rather provide detailed plans on how infrastructure and jobs could be created, hopefully creating an economic incentive to eschew terrorism and extremism, as people would be more involved with working in building up their own countries.

Do you think such a plan could work or is even necessary? Why do you believe people join extremist organizations like Al-Qaeda and how do you think we can work to prevent such affiliations in the future? What do you believe it would take for people in the Muslim world to change their perceptions of the United States?