Most of us have been taught that much of the world’s political instability and violence is rooted in economic problems and hardships.
The argument often goes something like this: “If the people in country X could just get more jobs and hope for a prosperous future, then the terrorism/crime/unrest would stop.”
For the most part, this idea makes sense. And it’s the linchpin of those who believe that special investment incentives, IMF loans, and non-governmental-organization (NGO) facilitated pilot business programs are essential tools for peace.
Wouldn’t it be harder to recruit the would-be terrorists and militants of the world if a good-paying job was the alternative? Wouldn’t blowing up buildings be a dumb thing to do when you were the person who built or invested in that building in the first place?
Categories: Arab World, Asia, Economics, Economy, Israel, Middle East, Palestine, Peace, War