k-punk
Spectres of Mark
borderpolice said:rubbish. i didn't say anything to this effect. of course i didn't rule it out as a partial explanation either. religious belief is surely a determining factor in one's setting of educational and professional goals -- max weber has famously exapanded on this, and amish refuse to let their children have higher education. now whether similar explanations would be worhtwhile for Islam I have my doubts, if only because it's such a vast cult with over a billion followers. but the fact remains that the usual explanations: racism, poverty don't apply as other groups seemingly starting out in similar situation have taken different career trajectories.
Racism is clearly not anything like a fully adequate answer because of the relative achievements of Sikhs, Hindus etc. I'm not calling for 'that' kind of explanation - what I want to know is, if it IS the religion that accounts for the under-achievement, what specific features of the religion are involved? And can anything be done to counter these effects?
I can't say that
saying "there should be a political, rather than a religious outlet for their disaffection." isn't an answer at all, since there are plenty of political outlets. i also don't see in what sense organisations like al-kaida are not political.
Al Qaeda pursues political aims for religious ends. It does not have a political program that is separable from Islam (even though, I hasten to add, it is possible to separate Islam from Al Q). What I am asking for is a political outlet that will channel alienation, frustration etc in the service of THIS-WORDLY political ends. There's a mass movement that's doing that? Show me where...