COSMOS AND TAXIS IN COUNTER-TERRORISM STRATEGIES

In a talk televised on cspan, May 7, 2005, Mr. Ganor talks about two different strategies for counter-terrorism. One strategy involves removing the terrorists' ability to strike by military means. Another involves addressing the incentives behind a terrorists desire to attack. The former is a short-term solution, while the latter is a long term solution. Mr. Ganor discussed that the men of impoverished families join radical islamic mosques in order to gain job training, food, and financial assistance for their families. In time they are converted into the radical islamic ideology leading to acts of terror.

I believe, the military solution is a taxis solution. It is the intention of a few to impose order on many through brute force. While successful possibly in the short term, the movement will reorganize itself. The long term solution is a cosmos solution. Address the economic disparities of the populations susceptible to recruitment. Allow them to reorganize toward constructive societal structures rather than destructive terrorist cells.

References:
Ganor, Boaz. "The Counter-Terrorism Puzzle". Center for Peace and Security Studies. Georgetown University. May 7, 2005. http://www.booktv.org

Ganor, Boaz; Interdisciplinary Center; International Policy Institute for Counter-Terrorism. The counter-terrorism puzzle : a guide for decision makers. New Brunswick, N.J.: Transaction Publishers; 2005.