KirStang

I was thinking the other day. If terrorist's countries of origin had more developed economies--that is, people could live a middle-class lifestyle with TVs, 2 car garages, nice family and cushy food, would terrorists be as successful as they are now? IIRC, (and I don't purport to know) something that helped pacify Iraq was to pay insurgents to fight for the U.S.'s side--that is to say, they were given a double incentive. Money, and reduced risk of life.

This is all premised on the idea that people are rational and want a cushy life. There will always be fringe idealists who cannot be swayed no matter what. However, I really am curious though. If extremists/terrorists had a strong economic incentive to lay down their arms, would they? Would this lead to reduced insurgency?

Thoughts?

mixedmedia

I think people essentially desire safety and security.
Western-style lifestyles seem to offer that, but it's impossible to predict whether it can be maintained over time because it has existed for such a short amount of time. How long can indifferent complacency last as a lifestyle? I would think it depends on the foundation and perceived security of the society overall...and that doesn't happen overnight. And in my own opinion, I think that our own standards of living are not manageable for our own country, let alone the entire world...but that's another discussion.

I used to think kind of the same thing, though. That once people had 'something to lose,' they wouldn't be so eager to piss it all away...but then I realized that everyone does have something to lose and they are willing to sacrifice it for what they believe in and often we are the ones trapped by our circumstances. I can understand that point of view, at least.

I go back and forth on it.

__________________
Most people go through life dreading they'll have a traumatic experience. Freaks were born with their trauma. They've already passed their test in life. They're aristocrats. - Diane Arbus
PESSIMISM, n. A philosophy forced upon the convictions of the observer by the disheartening prevalence of the optimist with his scarecrow hope and his unsightly smile. - Ambrose Bierce

Nepenthes

It has been reported that Osama bin Laden had at least the equivalent of $100 million U.S. dollars at one point. I think there have been irrational, wealthy people throughout history who put themselves at extreme risk for their own security and safety by causing terror and chaos.

Willravel

Some terrorism comes from extreme poverty. Most is just blowback.