Scholars urge caution in democratizing Islamic world

Scholars urge caution in democratizing Islamic world: Professor questions viability of American-style government in Pakistan

by Poornima Apte
India New England
10/15/2004

WALTHAM, Mass. - Ali Banuazizi is worried that the American-led war on terror has become much more than that.

"It has become an excuse for a segment of political elite to settle scores, to claim moral superiority over certain segments of the world," the professor of cultural psychology at Boston College said, at a town hall meeting hosted at Brandeis University.

The meeting was part of a national series called "Hope Not Hate," initiated by Americans for Informed Democracy.

The meeting included six panelists: Banuazizi; Olga Davidson, adjunct associate professor of women's studies at Brandeis; David Gil, professor in the Heller School for Social Policy and Management at Brandeis; Julian Hollick, producer and writer of radio documentaries; Thomas Simons Jr., retired U.S. ambassador to Pakistan; and Elinor Stout, of the Families of 9/11.

Speaking to a mostly student crowd of about 100, Banuazizi said Sept. 11 has had a major impact on the current student generation.

"For each generation, there is a critical event that forms its political consciousness," he said at the meeting on Sept. 28. "For my generation, it was the Vietnam War and civil rights. Before me, it was World War II and the Holocaust. For you, the critical event is the 9/11 tragedy. The positions you adopt will be shaped by this momentous event."

It makes Banuazizi uncomfortable that conflicts in Islamic countries are often equated with the religion.

"Some elements in say, Iraq, might be religious fundamentalists, but [the conflict] is more nationalistic in character," he said. He stressed that it is important for Islamic scholars to speak out.

Davidson, for her part, said democracy is the best option in the world.

"It is no panacea but it is still humanity's best hope," she said.

Sayeda Haq, a doctoral student at the Heller School, is a member of Americans for Informed Democracy and organized the meeting on campus.

"It is a very polarized political environment out there right now," she said. "Something like this adds a lot of value to the discussion. This way people will do their research and their interest will be provoked beyond what we hear in the mainstream media."

At the meeting, Hollick said that the American attention to individualism might not translate well to all societies. Many societies believe that families are the most powerful structures.

"The American belief that their way of life is the only way - that has to be tempered," he said.

Stout, who lost a son in the 9/11 attacks, said her journey since has been one of hope, not hate. She strongly urged acceptance of the recommendations of the 9/11 commission.

Gil's comments stirred a lot of response among audience members.

"Violence breeds violence," he said. "Terrorism is merely one form of counter-violence. We refer to this country as having Christian culture, but we are as far removed from his message as could be. Love and brotherhood are not practiced anymore."

He added, "We have to identify ourselves as citizens of the world, whether they are our neighbors or if we have never seen them."

The town hall meeting included question and answer sessions with audience participation.

An audience member asked if democracy was necessary for economic growth in countries such as Pakistan. Reactions to the question were mixed, with a few saying that in the long term, one does need to push for democracy in the country.

Gil questioned the viability of an American-style democracy.

"You have to clarify what you mean by democracy," he said. "I don't wish the American style on anyone."

While voicing support for democracy, Davidson said a country's individual circumstances should be evaluated to determine what is best.

"You can't have democracy at the end of a barrel of a gun," she said.