Tajikistan Youth and Radical Islam, Hunger Index, Human Rights in China Talks - Annotated Bibliography Example

of the of the Concerned November 5, Political Science (Paper#2) 1. News Article- “Tajikistan Youth Turn to Radical Islam”1- by Khayrullo Fayz The above mentioned news article by Khayrullo Fayz elaborates on the spread of radical Islam amongst the Tajik youth. Hizb ut-Tahrir, a pan-Central Asia Islamic organization has gained a footing in Tajikistan. The organization though theoretically not supportive of violence, strongly advocates the overthrowing of Tajik regime. This article delineates the economic factors aggravating the rapid radicalization of Tajik youth. Lack of education and limited job opportunities have left the youth ideal and choice less. Thus, they are becoming an easy prey to Islamist propaganda being disseminated through CDs, DVDs, cell phones and the internet. Radical Islam offers the clueless Tajik youth a sense of direction in an otherwise hopeless scenario. The impact of radicalization is slowly but steadily infiltrating every aspect of Tajik social, cultural and public life, a country that is officially secular. High handed tactics of the state are only hardening the resolve of the influenced individuals and groups. This article immaculately touches upon the multiple facets of radical Islam. Be it Iraq, Afghanistan or Pakistan, the spread of radical Islam is closely tagged to the scarce economic opportunities, lack of access to health and education and organized corruption2. The spread of Radical Islam has an inseparable economic dimension and the Tajik situation only further corroborates this conclusion. This article also unravels the irony inherent in the approach of Islamist groups. On the one side they deplore Western style modernity, but on the other side they tend to exploit the latest digital technology to convert the dispossessed segments of the society3. Courtesy these technologies, the vulnerable groups and individuals in the challenged economies are readily able to witness the prosperity in the West, which further ads to their dismay and anguish, making them think that Western influences are responsible for their plight. Hence, they easily succumb to the promises and inciting of radical elements. Not only this, but they start holding their West supported secular but corrupt rulers as a glaring proof of Western depravity and hegemony. Excessive violence on the nascent converts by these regimes only confirms their belief and resolve. Thus, the proliferation of radical Islam is the outcome of a vicious spiral, which for its sustenance depends on the Western democracies, to some extent. Hence, it is pivotal for the Western democracies to understand and assure that their best intentions do get practically translated at the grass roots level, in the regions exposed to radical Islam. Supporting secular but, corrupt, noncommittal and autocratic regimes in the short run, to assure temporary stability, only destabilize a region in the long run. 2. News Article- “Hunger Index Shows One Billion without Enough Food4”- by Ania Lichtarowicz As per the Global Hunger Index jointly released by International Food Policy Research Institute, Welthungerhilfe and Concern Worldwide, nearly one fifth of the world population is going without enough food. The worst affected regions are sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia and the worst impacted segment is that of children under five. The situation has been further worsened by the global food price appreciation and the ongoing economic meltdown. The experts are of the opinion that the circumstances can greatly be improved by extending health facilities and nutrition to the young children and pregnant and breast-feeding mothers in this region. Yet, the disheartening fact is that in the case of malnourished children above two, even providing proper nutrition could not reverse the impact of undernutrition. This news puts to question the human and ethical side of globalization. Is globalization a universal phenomenon, portending a positive outcome for a large proportion of the world population, or a phenomenon with a misguided agenda, aimed at sustaining the wasteful life style of the lucky few? Nearly one fifth of the world population, comprising mainly of children under five going without food and health, calls for a rethinking of the overall vision behind globalization. The affected regions bear this plight to some extent owing to their colonial past. Add to it the corporate agriculture and international food cartels and speculators, legitimized by their capitalist affiliations and global credentials, the situation are really pathetic. The International community simply cannot ignore its responsibility. Child malnutrition is not only negatively influencing the African nations at present, but is also jeopardizing their future, when one takes into consideration, the long term impact of undernutrition on human resources. Globalization needs to be redefined as much in human terms as in economic5. 3. News Article- “David Cameron Raises Human Rights in China Talks6”- BBC News The British Prime Minister on his first visit to China discussed the much controversial Human Rights issue with the Chinese Premier, Wen Jiabao. Though this visit strictly revolved around the preset business agenda, Prime Minister Cameron, responding to the immense and sustained pressure from the Human Rights activists did touch upon the Human Rights issue with Prime Minister Jiabao. In the economic terms, the UK expects much from China, as the British goods constitute a mere 2 percent of the Chinese imports. The talks led to some lucrative economic gains, with deals ranging from the selling of Rolls-Royce aviation engines to the British breeding pigs to China, being finalized. However, Prime Minister Cameron was not that vociferous about China’s Human Rights record, expressing a desire to get involved in a “closer-engagement” with China. The mainland China based intellectuals and activists, were critical of the British approach, focusing more on economic gains, while diluting the issue of Human Rights. Overall, the cause of Human Rights seems to have taken a back stage, before more pressing commercial and economic priorities. There is no denying the fact that the Universal Declaration of Human Rights lacked teeth, right from the start. No clause of this declaration imposed limitations on the freedom of any nation responsible for human rights violations. Human Rights Deceleration lacked any potent mechanisms for safeguarding the individual freedom against the coercive powers of a state. The General Assembly left the onus of enforcement of this deceleration on its inherent moral authority and the initiative and interest of the international community. Irrespective of persistent international criticism and media focus, China continues to commit human rights violations and to impose constraints on the freedom of expression of its citizens, free thinkers and intellectuals7. In the new global scenario, with the emergence of China as a vital economic and political power, the international community’s grip over the Chinese Human Rights performance has further loosened. With the ongoing global recession and the need for resuscitating the ailing economies, the developed nations shy away from enervating China by making Human Rights the central theme of any meaningful talks. At the best, Human Rights find a passing reference, and that too to bolster the already sagging ethical face. Prime Minister Cameron’s approach was one more step in that direction. References BBC News. “David Cameron Raises Human Rights in China Talks.” November 10, 2010, http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-11715216 (accessed November 10, 20100. Dunning, John H (Ed.). Making Globalization Good: The Moral Challenge of Global Capitalism. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2003. Fayz, Khayrullo. “Tajikistan Youth Turn to Radical Islam.’ BBC News. September 27, 2010, http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-pacific-11398444 (accessed November 5, 2010). Lichtarowicz, Ania. “Human Index Shows One Billion without Enough Food.” BBC News, October 11, 2010, http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-11503845 (accessed November 6, 2010). Pipes, Daniel. “God and Mammon: Does Poverty Cause Militant Islam?.” The National Interest, Winter 2001, 14-16. Seib, Philip. “The News Media and the Clash of Civilizations.” Parameters 34(2004), 71-77. Zarocostas, John. “China Set to Derail Rights Resolution; US Plans Censure in UN.” The Washington Times, March 24, 2004, A09. Read More