It has been said, often with some degree of chagrin, that there are similarities between fanatics of the east and fanatics of the west. Though this is an uncomfortable notion to entertain for either side it is well worth examining for everyone's sake. To even the most casual student of world affairs certain facts become readily apparent. For instance, as much as the United States and its current Neocon administration would like to portray Islamic fundamentalists as wholly "other" in philosophy and morality, this hardly holds up to any careful scrutiny. Both have agendas that include some form of world hegemony. Both have demonstrated a comfort with violence as a means to meet their goals. Both have engaged in torture. Both have refused to modify their basic ideologies in the face of opprobrium from the world community. Both are bent on the other's destruction.
The world today is experiencing a most severe case of culture shock. The distances that allowed individuals and cultures to pursue their own courses unimpeded have disappeared. That combined with competition for limited resources will only exacerbate tensions.
It is interesting to note the parallel trends of increasing democratization and the rise (or perhaps resurfacing) of fascist ideologies (religious pr political) and governing practices. For example, as access to information has increased via the Internet, the U.S. has witnessed the decline and corporatization of the mainstream media. As capital and business operations have been dispersed to the second and third worlds, nuclear technology and the military might to support and entrench dictatorships has as well. In the U.K. and U.S., those bastions of democracy, fears of terror have led to vast programs of domestic surveillance.
History has shown time and time again that cultures, religions, political and economic philosophies emerge, thrive and then die when circumstances outpace their abilities to adapt. It is this very real possibility of extinction that, I believe, drives all versions of fundamentalism and the resultant fanaticism that we see today. The Islamic fundamentalist vs. Neocon ideological battle is only one manifestation of this. There are many others.
But in both Muslim countries and the U.S. it is a relatively small number of individuals who carry a fundamentalist orientation towards the world and a fundamentalist approach to geopolitical problems, although thanks to recent U.S. military and foreign policy those numbers have swollen in followers of Islam. It is also true that this small group, wherever they arise, have a strong will to obtain power and control. Given that such individuals seem to have such an inordinate influence on the world stage, I believe it is of central importance to ask: why do some individuals adopt this more fundamentalist (and fanatical) approach to life and others do not?
I believe the simple and most direct answer is that such philosophies allay fears and reduce anxiety. It is comforting for human beings to have an overarching political or religious belief structure. It is even more comforting (for some) when that belief structure clearly identifies who is right and who is wrong, who is good and who is bad, what works and what doesn't. And let us not forget the aphrodisiac qualities of power and the confidence that comes from having all the answers. It doesn't really matter whether facts and reality correspond with these strongly held beliefs (i.e. the Bush administration and Iraq).
The fundamentalist view, wherever it arises, holds up this shining hope to true believers: We can make the world over into our image. Those who don't believe can be eliminated or converted. All you need to do is to trust the leaders and "keep the faith". This formulation is very appealing to many. It becomes more appealing as conflict between groups increases (or is fomented). But no matter what manipulations are undertaken to create fear and thus compliance there will always be those who will see it for what it is and who will resist.
It is true that sometimes fundamentalist/fascist/fanatic ideologies can "win" for a while. They can rise and predominate. But it is also true, as was demonstrated in that cautionary tale Jurassic Park, that "Life will find a way." People, cultures, and humanity itself are by nature designed to grow and evolve. Anything - any belief, religion, economic or political philosophy - that seeks to maintain power and control or that impedes this natural process is, I believe destined to fail. As is written in Ecclesiastes 3:1 "To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven." The questions of which beliefs to hold onto, which to let go of and which new beliefs to embrace are central to all of humanity at this time. Such decisions must not be made out of fear, fantasy or fanaticism. Rather they must be based on a clear view of reality combined with an openeness to change and a fundamental faith that there is a better future that the entire world can create - together.
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