Introduction
Violent resistance has become rampant in the world today. The following study is an attempt to establish the root causes of violent resistance, the challenges facing the world due to violent resistance, and possible remedies to the problem citing specific cases that are helpful in this study. Thesis Statement: The misuse of power and authority by the Western countries has led to violent resistance and terrorism.
Body
The urge to gain more political power for some governments and different individuals has led to the increase in terrorism globally. Terrorism is a security threat to everybody all over the world. In almost all occasions, terrorist groups have tried to justify their actions. Criminal gangs use terrorism as a means of enforcing criminal activities.
USA bombing: After the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks against the United States of America, a survey was carried out to find out if the attacks were justified. About 7% of the Muslims questioned during the survey felt that the actions of terrorism against the USA were justified. Immediately after the attacks, nobody claimed responsibility though the al-Qaeda group led by Osama bin Laden was suspected to be responsible for the attacks.
After the 2004 presidential elections in the USA, al-Qaeda declared its involvement in the attacks. Osama bin Laden was quoted as saying, “We are free… and want to regain freedom for our nation. As you undermine our security we undermine yours”. Osama bin Laden was opposed to the presence of the Israeli and the United States of America troops in his native land, Saudi Arabia. The imposition of sanctions against Iraq by the United States of America led to terrorist activities. The bombing of African embassies belonging to the USA both in Kenya and Tanzania in 1998 was an act by the al-Qaeda group meant to tell the US government to leave Islamic territories. The occupation of Palestinian territory by the Israeli troops also triggered the al-Qaeda bombing in some African countries where the USA and Israel had interests. The western governments have continually interfered with the affairs of the Muslim countries. In 1979, the Soviet Union invaded Afghanistan. This led to the formation of a terror group, the mujahedeen, to help Afghanistan fight the Soviet troops. In 2001, the British government and the USA launched attacks on Afghanistan. The war included aerial bombing which targeted the Taliban and the al-Qaeda insurgents. Eventually, this led to the killing of Osama Bin Laden.
The internal conflicts that existed between the Islamic extremists accelerated the war in Afghanistan. Majority of the western governments are perceived not to have respect for Muslim values. With 1.3 billion Muslims in the world today, some of them admire the western culture, particularly the western democracy, the rule of law, and technological advancements. On the other hand, some feel that the western governments have politically dominated them. According to some earlier surveys, some radical and moderate Muslims feel that the western governments do not positively value the Muslim culture. Some radical Muslims criticize the western nations for being intolerant to the Muslim culture. Some western cultures are blamed and condemned for disrespecting the Muslim culture. The use of power and authority in a cruel and unjust way leads to oppression. Oppression may take various forms. Social oppression occurs when an individual or a group of people mistreats others.
This may even happen in institutions and in governments whereby some groups of people are marginalized. Some people may counter oppression by resisting it. Various individuals may still be unwilling to take non violent measures as ways of resisting oppression. Over the years, physical repression has been used against the oppressed. Most countries all over the world have used wars as ways of achieving liberation from oppression. A closer look at these nations confirms that social problems like health issues, famine, and unemployment are never solved. These problems still do exist even after the war. People’s properties are destroyed. Loss of lives and livelihoods are encountered. After the World War II, the people of Hiroshima and Nagasaki continued to suffer the effects of the war and these effects continue to be seen to date (Young, 1996).Relationships are broken more so between the oppressor and the oppressed. Bitterness and resentment continue to thrive amongst the two parties. A popular saying, “An eye for eye” promotes revenge. It creates a monologue type of society rather than a dialogue type of society. Both the oppressor and the oppressed suffer from the effects of their actions.
Conclusion
The security of all people in the world is of paramount importance. Everyone should seek good relationships with one another for we need each other in one way or another (Hobgood, 2000). Non-violent measures should be employed in resolving conflicts to ensure that peace thrives in the world. Western countries should embrace better ways of arbitration of conflicts than invading Muslim countries. The United Nations should spearhead arbitration of conflicts on behalf of Western countries through an enhanced arbitration program that incorporates diplomacy.
References
Hobgood, M. E. (2000). Dismantling Privilege: An Ethics of Accountability. Cleveland, OH: Pilgrim Press.
Young, B. E. (1996). The Anatomy of Prejudices. Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press.