Extremism: Political Philosophy and International Political Issues Essay

MANY counter act of act of terrorist act and security experts believe that extremism and terrorism have a cause and resultant relation. If this were true, it would be almost impossible for Pakistan to rigging the copes of terrorism and militancy without effectively responding to ontogeny extremism and radicalism in the dry land. Countering extremism and extremist ideologies is an important instalment of the current debate on inherent security and counterterrorism. Though extremism has yet to be defined in Pakistan at least(prenominal) there is a consensus in the rural area that terrorism is a major issue and needs to be addressed on a priority basis.On the different hand, the realm of extremism is very broad, and different segments of bon ton hold diverse take hold ofs regarding the phenomenon. Let us firstly take a assure at the different views on extremism that atomic number 18 prevalent in the country and therefore examine the question of breaking its links with terrorism. Extremism is defined in Pakistan in a number of ways, and is used mainly in the political, spectral, and genial contexts. Political scientists consider it a political phenomenon, triggered by inequality, socio-economic injustices and fix policies.In 2008-9, the Pak Institute for Peace Studies, an Islamabad-based research group, consulted some(prenominal) experts in the fields of political science, external relations, faith studies, science, media and human rights. Their feel was want through detailed discussions and a cogitation on issues of terrorism and extremism. Out of 16 experts, 11 agreed that extremism was a political phenomenon only deuce-ace looked at extremism in the light of an ideological struggle, whereas two experts link extremism to the misinterpretation of religion.The experts likewise differed on what they considered to be the reasons seat extremism. Most of the respondents pointed out political, hearty and economic disparities as the main cau ses of extremism. A similar study that was conducted by the make up in 2009 to collect the views of teachers in madressahs showed that the mass of clerics and madressah teachers believed that extremism was a political issue. However, the respondents believed that regional and world(prenominal) political issues were more important.A wide number of madressah teachers also thought that extremism in the country could only be countered if Pakistan distanced itself from the US-led fight on terror. Very few discussed the ghostly and ideological aspects of extremism. They considered Talibanisation to be an outcome of body politic polices, and the states failure to practice Islamic law in the country. The teachers also expressed concern over the Westernisation of Pakistani smart set. much(prenominal) narratives be also reflected in cosmos opinion, and policymakers follow the alike discourse. unconstipated the debate in the right-wing media reflects the same approach.The opinio ns of those that are among the first targets of extremism are of diaphanous significance. Public opinion is shaped by the media as well as by religious and political leaders. It ultimately influences the political trends that a conjunction is witnessing. But signs of wateriness are discernible in public opinion with regard to extremist and rough groups. A nonher survey conducted by the bring to map the political behaviour of the lot revealed that though more than 56pc of Pakistanis acknowledge the go of religious scholars for Islam, over 53pc oppose a political role for the scholars.Public opinion considers the provision of justice and basic necessities as crucial to the exercise of countering extremism. Interestingly, marginalised segments of cabaret including religious, sectarist and ethnic minorities, women and those associated with the creative arts advance to hold a different view of extremism. According to the survey, they unanimously defined extremism as imbalanced ideological attitudes attitudes that were conceived in a state of mind where an individual regards himself as superior to others and acts as an inquisitor.They classified the causes behind extremism as falling under three main categories the misinterpretation of religion, political, economic and social inequalities and the lack of rational and logical behaviour. Such divergent perceptions on extremism are not surprising as the Taliban in the tribal areas, the Malakand region and adjacent parts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa first targeted women, confining them to their homes and banning their entry in markets. Girls schools, Sufi shrines, cultural heritage sites and medical specialty shops have been torched and bombed.Violent activities and threats by the Taliban brought cultural activities and creative expressions, such as painting and poetry, to a halt in the impact areas. Each segment of Pakistani society has its own viewpoint on extremism and on how to counter it. The prevalence of diverse and very much conflicting viewpoints makes it almost impossible for society to generate a collective receipt to issues of extremism and terrorism. Whereas the intellectuals lay more emphasis on ideological and empirical aspects when it comes to countering extremism, social experts and religious scholars vehemently assert that that is not an effective solution.More comprehensive studies and analyses may allot a clearer answer, but can the state afford to prioritise any extra set of causes said to be prudent for extremism and terrorism? Can the rationalisation of current ideological, political and socio-cultural thinking patterns provide a quick fix for terrorism? curiously when views on extremism and also terrorism are paradoxical? At the same time, adjusting counter-extremism goals in the narrow operational framework of counterterrorism is an ascending(prenominal) task. Western counterterrorism frameworks cannot help Pakistan.In these frameworks, extremism and terror ism are not separated and a single policy is followed to deal with twain challenges. The reason is that the challenge of terrorism in the West mainly originates from parallel societies of immigrant communities there. Adopting such an approach here would be devastating, as terrorism is not a community-oriented phenomenon in Pakistan. The government has to focus on countering terrorism to bring down the level of vehemence in the country. Until violence in the country is not reduced, both state and society will continue to suffer from the yellow-bellied and egg syndrome.