[Gefreiter]

Professor Hanson hits some good points and, as always, with interesting turns of phrase. His theme about pride, though, is one of special interest to me.

It is seemingly impossible for an Arab in the media to discuss a point of policy- America's, Israel's, Arafat's, Osama's, whatever- without mentioning the words "pride,", "humiliation", or "dignity", and the perceived wounding or restoration of them.

I am very interested to learn more about this phenomenon, where the perception of humiliation or emasculation drives Arabic speakers to do such despicable things. Especially because perception is all in your head. What is the source of this feeling? Why is it so prevalent? Why do people believe it and perpetuate it?

Similarly, why can't they open a business, or send their children to a respectable school, or work hard and have a good family, or otherwise better their own lives, and draw pride from those things, instead of their entire self image based around the perception of the Arab nation's lack of military or cultural power?

If anyone could direct me to any works (English only please- maybe auf Deutsch if not too dense) on the topic of Arab pride, and its relationship to policy and international relations, I would be thankful.

[carton253]

There is a book called The Arab Mind... (I don't remember the author, sorry) that might be helpful.

Plus, Bernard Lewis has several books out that you might find useful... What Went Wrong, Crisis in Islam are two that come to mind.

[carton253]

Even though it is a work of fiction, The Haj by Leon Uris is another good book to read.

[MEG33]

I used Google,typed in "arab pride" and found there are many articles that mention it.

[tpaine]

Gefreiter wrote:

Professor Hanson hits some good points and, as always, with interesting turns of phrase. His theme about pride, though, is one of special interest to me.
What is the source of this feeling? Why is it so prevalent? Why do people believe it and perpetuate it?


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"The continuous disasters of man's history are mainly due to his excessive capacity and urge to become identified with a tribe, nation, church or cause, and to espouse its credo uncritically and enthusiastically, even if its tenets are contrary to reason, devoid of self-interest and detrimental to the claims of self-preservation.
We are thus driven to the unfashionable conclusion that the trouble with our species is not an excess of aggression, but an excess capacity for fanatical devotion."
-Arthur Koestler-


Fanaticism, -- overzealous pride in a tribe, a nation, a church or a cause, is our problem..

Live & let live is the american constitutional solution.. --- One that very few americans can follow to its logical conclusion, as does Hanson..

He concludes that we must use our power to temper justice with a type of mercy.. One that allows our enemy to live with pride & let us live with ours.
Hanson concludes:

" -- we could find no better guide in this war than William Tecumseh Sherman and Abraham Lincoln — in that order. The former would remind us that our enemies traffic in pride and thus first must be disabused of it through defeat and humiliation.
The latter (who turned Sherman and Grant loose) would maintain that we are a forgiving sort, who prefer restored rather than beaten people as our friends."