THE WEST AND THE REST: Globalization and the Terrorist Threat

British philosopher Scruton offers a consideration of the philosophical and political differences between the West and "the rest," in particular Islam. Without taking a "blame the West" approach, he suggests that some of our "habits, beliefs, and prejudices" need to be reexamined, among them the unrestrained multinational corporation, and "our devotion to prosperity" and consumption and the resulting dependence on oil and other raw materials. In order to take on religious fanaticism, he argues, we must offer a coherent alternative and a means of putting our beliefs into practice. (Sept.)