This book was written after the September 11 attacks on the United States, and could broadly be called an attempt to explain what is different about "the West" and "the rest" in this increasingly interconnected world. Roger Scruton, an Englishman, is a recognized scholar on the Middle East, cultural development, and politics.
I found the book to be uneven, with some sections clear, coherent, and fascinating, while others seemed disconnected, overly pedantic, or poorly edited. But overall, "The West and the Rest" contains important information that Westerners ought to be more familiar with if we are to deal effectively with those who hate us enough to mount attacks like those of 9/11/01.
Scruton has several themes. The most important is to give a view of the West from the eyes of a Muslim extremist. Just what is it that is so offensive to their eyes? It indeed has to do with many of the things mentioned in the popular Western media-- our opulence, freedom, and secular culture. But the way in which these things are offensive is not commonly understood. Scruton leads the reader through enough of the basics of Islamic culture to elucidate the problems of Western society in terms of architecture, public space, and legal authority.
Yes, our "freedom" is bothersome, but not because Muslims prefer bondage or dictators. It is because the authority of God is paramount, and thus any secular government, especially ones so laissez-faire as those of the US or Europe, is essentially illegitimate. That includes, by the way, the secular governments of places like Saudi Arabia and Iraq. Even these are an insult to God, and should be destroyed if possible.
Scruton discusses this more deeply also, drawing out the importance of territorial identification in the West. Interestingly, he claims this sort of loyalty has enabled democracy. It is totally absent in much of "the rest," which points toward failure in establishing a freer, secular society in places like Iraq and Afghanistan. (I recall that a half-Pakistani friend of mine asserted that democracy will simply not come to the Middle East until a wave of secularism takes root there. I didn't really understand at the time, but Scruton makes the same point in much more detail).
Another key theme was to articulate ways in which the West could modify its behavior and/or attitudes to help prevent further violence against it. This was wrapped up with the unnerving concept that democracy contains the seeds of its own destruction, at least in this world, where it is opposed by such groups as Al-Quaeda.
The seeds of destruction for democracy as we know it lie in globalization. By this, Scruton means that our easy willingness to share our culture hurts both at home and abroad. On the international stage, we offend others with our heavy-handed marketing, environmentally destructive industries, and lack of respect for local culture. We may mean well, but we are blundering giants that sometimes crush or disrupt important traditions.
Domestically, we threaten our existence through excess multiculturalism that erodes the sense of territorial loyalty so crucial to democracy. In this sense, Scruton offers an essentially conservative criticism of globalization, the first I have heard. (And odd, given that Scruton is apparently a well-known liberal scholar). He has no problem with earlier waves of immigrants who assimilated into American, British, or other cultures. But the current climate seems not to encourage this, which has Scruton worried.
As an interesting side note, this book casts the American-Israeli situation in a different light. It has been suggested that America's support for Israel was a major factor in the 9/11 attacks. While this may be partially true, it is far more relevant to note that much of Israel's suffering is due to its continued link with the United States. That has rained violence on it far more terrible over the years than the 9/11 attacks.
The conclusion is not especially upbeat. There is no innoculation against the hatred or genuine way to prevent violence. The only way to reduce the threat could be a return to somewhat more isolationalist tendencies. Scruton is careful to say that this doesn't mean shunning all other countries, but it does mean more careful policing of borders, less encouragement of multiculturalism, and a revival of pride in the homeland.
I found myself reacting against his final suggestions because they seem to discourage the very understanding that he is trying to promote with his book. Can we really become more culturally sensitive (so that we understand the radical Muslim viewpiont) while simultaneously shying away from diverse education? We may need more love of our land, but not if it comes at the price of ignorance about other lands and viewpoints. Ignorance is the breeding ground of hate and intolerance. The trick is to teach multiculturalism without making the mind so open that the brain falls out (a problem with current overly liberal doctrine). The trick is not to abandon multicultural education.
Nonetheless, the book brought up some very important points, and taught me quite a bit about the relevant basics of Islam. I can see clearly why Bush's "Roadmap for Middle East Peace" is destined to fail spectacularly-- watch the news for the next couple years if you doubt me. "The West and the Rest" rates a "+".
Copyright © Kim Allen 2003
