Right Vs. Left and Personal Culpability

In recent article, "Red Nation, Blue Nation," Michael Barone elucidates clearly the fundamental difference between the Right and Left. "The differences between the two parties' constituencies reflects two different views of America and the world. Those who see Islamist terrorists as the proximate threat see a world in which Americans are largely blameless.... Those who see climate change as the approximate threat take another view...." That is, Americans are, at least in part, responsible for the effects of climate change. The fundamental differences is that the right feels righteous and innocent and the left feels guilty and responsible. The Democrats are the party of social guilt and the Republicans are the party of personal righteousness.

For the Right, the war against terror, regardless of how it has been prosecuted, is a righteous mandate. The September 11 attacks are seen as completely unprovoked and unwarranted. The Right fails to realize, however, that Al Qaeda and other terrorist organizations were not created in a vacuum. Extremist Islamic leaders perceived a threat from the West and mobilized to neutralize that threat (That they thought bombing the towers would accomplish their objectives highlights their misunderstanding of the West and maybe even their stupidity). The question Westerners need to be asking is not, "What military tactics can we use to defeat the terrorists." It is, rather, "What 'perceived threats' gave rise to Islamic Extremism, and how can we neutralize those 'perceived threats?'" (What are the "perceived threats?" Some possibilities: socio-economic factors {poverty, residue colonial resentment, unconditional support for Israel, past and present interference in political affairs}, western infidelities {media, pop-culture}).  Let me be clear, I don't hold individual Americans personally responsible for the terror attacks. But a careful study of Middle Eastern history leads to the unavoidable conclusion that US involvement in the Middle East is partly responsible for growth of discontentment in the Islamic world (Before you dismiss this point, make sure you read about the CIA's involvement with the Shaw of Iran).

So, in conclusion, the Right is right because Americans are not personally guilty for the rise of Extreme Islam or global warming. The Right is wrong, however, because Americans are collectively responsible, at least in part, for the same two crises. And the converse can be said for the Left. And so at the end we are left with the same question that divided our founding fathers. Do we as a free nation emphasize the individual or the state? Do we emphasize the collective whole (Federalists, G. Washington, A. Hamilton) or personal independence (Republican, J. Madison, T. Jefferson)? Do we establish foreign policy as if we are individuals looking out for out own interests? Or do we establish policy that will promote global harmony in the world and reflect the benign and benevolent intentions most Americans feel? You decide.