This article explores the question of why terrorists harbor such intense hatred towards us that they are willing to sacrifice their lives to inflict immense suffering and destruction. The answers often revolve around religion, ethnicity, and perceived victimization. However, the primary cause of terrorism is believed to be resentment, primarily stemming from extreme poverty. This article proposes a solution to this issue: the creation of an anti-terrorism economy, featuring businesses that aim to alleviate poverty and reduce resentment.
In the developed world, we enjoy the benefits of advanced technology, vibrant economies, and a high standard of living. In stark contrast, people in impoverished countries often live in dire conditions, lacking basic necessities and opportunities. This stark disparity breeds resentment, which can eventually lead to radicalization and terrorism.
The developed world, despite comprising only 15% of the Earth's population, accounts for 88% of internet users. The majority of the remaining 85% of the global population have never even used a telephone. This digital divide further exacerbates feelings of resentment and exclusion.
Religion is often cited as a primary cause of terrorism. However, it is more accurate to say that impoverished and frustrated individuals turn to religion for solace, and when their physical needs remain unmet, they may become radicalized.
While resentment towards the rich and powerful is inevitable, its intensity can be significantly reduced if impoverished individuals and countries are given the opportunity to prosper.
Existing financial institutions like the IMF and the World Bank, established by wealthy nations to aid poorer countries, often impose stringent conditions on their loans, making it difficult for these countries to grow their economies. The underlying principle of these institutions is that the rich should help the poor, implying a sense of superiority and inferiority.
A more effective approach would be to enable the poor to help themselves. Instead of imposing plans and technologies, we should create an environment that encourages learning and self-sufficiency.
An anti-terrorism economy aims to be inclusive, enabling impoverished countries to grow and prosper, thereby reducing the likelihood of individuals turning to terrorism.
Historically, economies have primarily served the rich, with poor countries often exploited for their raw materials. The advent of the information economy, or the learning economy, has done little to change this, as impoverished countries lack the resources to participate.
The concept of globalization has been hailed as a universal benefit, but in reality, it has often led to the dominance of multinational corporations rather than the growth of small companies in all countries.
The proposed anti-terrorism economy aims to replace potential terrorists with peace advocates, illiterates with educated individuals, and starving nations with thriving ones. This can be achieved by infusing globalization with a spirit of helpfulness, creating a "Globalization with a Local Face".
Anti-terrorism businesses aim to market to the world, not just to wealthy countries. They operate on the principles of Helpfulness Marketing, which include:
Examples of anti-terrorism businesses include Novica, which sells crafts from developing countries, Raintree, which works with indigenous Amazon tribes to develop sustainable resources, and Hewlett-Packard's World E-Inclusion program, which invests in local knowledge and creativity in impoverished areas.
The fight against terrorism can be significantly advanced by reducing poverty and resentment. This can be achieved by building an anti-terrorism economy, consisting of businesses that use the principles of Helpfulness Marketing to bring prosperity to impoverished areas, thereby reducing the pool of potential terrorists.
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