GS101 Lecture Notes - Lecture 8: Al-Qaeda, Ottoman Empire, Utopia
Document Summary
Modern revolutionary movements believe that a better type of society can be brought about by the systematic use of violence (ex: tearing down society and rebuild it) Creative destruction refers to violent overthrow of an existing order to bring about new social order. Al-qaeda has various meanings, simply meaning order/the base . As a movement, al-qaeda desires an alternative globalization such as: Re-enhancement of modernity (bring religious ideas back into modern life) Have utopian view of just social order on earth (egalitarian) The notion to bring about utopia in this world leads to death and destruction. Al-qaeda is not as much a clash of islam vs. christianity. Justification of attacks build on widespread grievances such as: 80 years of political weakness (collapse of ottoman empire emerges divisive nation-states) Birth of israel & eviction of palestinians (continued form of colonialism) Military dictators, corrupt monarchs, puppet government in muslim societies obedient to. Westerners value our own lives over values of others.
