West and the Rest: Globalization and the Terrorist Threat [Paperback]

Scruton identifies the difference between the West and the Rest in the nature of the political process. Briefly but with great clarity he explores the political history of the West that gave us individual freedom, prosperity and the pursuit of knowledge. Our civilisation is rooted in Greek thought, Roman law and Judeo-Christianity. He points out that freedom needs to be defined and that it needs restraints in order to continue to function. The success of the West is based on the practice of separating church and state, of recognizing the two different realms. This is the fundamental difference with Islam. Islamism is a totalitarian ideology precisely because the totality of society must submit to religion.

The author argues that the political process in Western civilisation has made it so successful - western democracies are governed by politics while the Rest is ruled by force. In the West, the political process functions through negotiation and compromise. Religion and culture are binding principles but they do not prescribe. With the collapse of our Judeo-Christian heritage in much of the West, a vital defence of our culture is being lost. According to Scruton, the love of freedom alone is not enough for our civilization to survive. He considers the nation state as a precondition for democracy and the rule of law. Under Islam, the Sharia is the only source of law, is considered to be globally binding and provides no room for dissent.

The UN is a club of gangsters. Most UN representatives do not speak for the people of their countries but only the thuggish regimes that lord it over them. In addition, Western elites and radical Islamists both despise Western civilization. This is particularly pronounced in academia, the media and the entertainment industry. This alienation manifests also in the Muslim immigrant communities in Europe that do not want to assimilate. They enjoy all the benefits of their new society whilst at the same time despising it. There is a sick synergy between the immigrants and the elites that disparage their own heritage. This tie of hatred binds them together.

Scruton explains the modern roots of Islamic militancy with reference to Wahhabism, the Muslim Brotherhood and the Khomeini revolution in Iran. He rightly criticises the West's dangerous commitment to multiculturalism but I do not agree with his conclusions that globalisation fosters terrorism and that democracy is not suitable for "the rest." One need only look at successful democracies like India and Japan to see the fallacy here. Even Islamic Turkey has a somewhat flawed but functioning democracy.

But overall, and for its multiple insights, this is a most valuable and enlightening work that provides plenty food for thought. Scruton is an original thinker and a gifted writer. I highly recommend The West And The Rest for those who are interested in history, culture and politics.

In this fascinating book, British Philosopher (and former university professor) Roger Scruton looks at the West and the Islamic world, and examines what has brought on the present crisis. It is his contention that the both the Western and the Islamic worlds are in a state of crisis. In the Islamic world, the increase in population and the concomitant urbanization has produced alienation, while the march of globalization has brought it face to face with a Western world that it both envies and hates. In the West, the whole of Western culture is under assault from an elitist "Culture of Repudiation" that wishes to tear down the culture, but has nothing to erect in its place.

Along the way, Mr. Scruton treats the reader to a profound and highly enlightening look at the foundations of modern Western and Islamic political ideology; where they came from, where they are going, and what has produced such hostility. The conclusion of the book is small, with some suggestions to "constrain" the process of globalization, thus minimizing the threat perceived by the Muslim world, but more far-reaching than that.

I found this book to be both enlightening and somewhat frightening. Mr. Scruton's analysis suggests that the roots of the present hostility emanating from the Middle East are very deep indeed, and not likely to be ameliorated by any simple or easy solution. If there was one book that I would urge everyone to read, so as to understand the present world, this would be it! Please read this book.