http://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-29052144
In the past several months, political analysts everywhere have offered their interpretation of the actions and political agenda of the Islamic State, a radical Islamist group which threatens the physical and ontological security of states everywhere. In this comprehensive article detailing the origins, moral code, and action patterns of the Islamic State, something for readers to consider is the possible global repercussions of a group with the ability to indoctrinate new followers through the use of fear tactics. Today, more than eight million persons live in areas under the rigid control of ISIS. As the group continues to pursue the establishment of a caliphate ("a state ruled by a single political and religious leader"), the ability of ISIS to achieve this goal and develop their own sovereign state, as well as the possible global spread of the ideology supported by ISIS are ideas which beg for critical evaluation.
While to most citizens of the Western world, the abhorrent practices of torture and killing performed by ISIS are enough to incite a military response, the growing insecurity and fear of attack by ISIS in Middle Eastern states have created an environment which facilitates the spread and domination of such an extremist group. The boundaries of areas controlled by ISIS have swelled to 15,000 sq. miles, and with fighters for ISIS coming from 81 states globally, the ability of this group to establish an internally recognized state seems possible. While external recognition of ISIS as a legitimate state would probably never happen due to the inhumane practices of this regime, is it possible that the ideas of this organization could globalize? I do not think that Western philosophies would ever foster the extremist actions of ISIS, but in states with political insecurity and ethnic disparity, there could be potential for takeover by ISIS.
I would argue that ISIS has already established an internally recognized stated. Last year picture of parking tickets issued by the Islamic Police (the Police force in the ISIS region) spread across social media. This, along with US intelligence reports of ISIS-run consumer protection agency, indicates that ISIS may already be recognized as the new government of the region by non-combatants. As the bureaucracy expands, people of the region will become more and more accustomed to ISIS as the real government. It is important to note that ISIS has no shot at being recognized externally. Any country that does so would be vilified by the international community.
ReplyDeleteI agree with your suggestion that states which recognize ISIS as externally legitimate would face repercussions within the international community, but I have to ask, is it more important that ISIS is recognized as externally legitimate or that it fosters an internal sense of legitimacy?
DeleteWell colonialism and slavery weren't all cream and peaches either, and that leaves WWII right out of it...
ReplyDeleteThe idea of ISIS globalizing is an interesting one and something that I think about quite a bit. There have been attacks elsewhere where ISIS has been evoked, showing that not only are they replacing al Qaeda, but that it is always possible (though I still think unlikely) for the idea to globalize into some sort of non-contiguous Muslim state.
Even more interesting for me is the way in which they seem to recruit citizens from all over the world. Sometimes I wonder if this isn't something that could become more common in the future - some sort of transnational citizenship based on choice as opposed to nationality or the historical happenstance of one's birth. What is state's need to recruit and keep citizens? What would/could they offer? It is a whole can of worms, but interesting to think through. Or at least it is for me...
Professor Shirk, I think your idea of "citizen recruitment" is definitely an interesting one. If citizenship became more of a citizens choice and less a result of their physical location, would nationalism and dedication to the "state" be stronger? It is definitely a hefty topic to consider because it calls into question the necessity of a physical attachment to a state, but as we have seen in the case of ISIS it is definitely something which is possible.
DeleteThat should say, "what if states" not "what is state's"
ReplyDeleteI don't believe that ISIS has established itself as an international state just yet but instead as a very powerful and well organized threat. ISIS itself will not consider itself a completed state unless it succeeds to acquire more land and power. As the threat grows, people are bullied into recognizing it as a way of life but not necessarily recognizing its legitimacy as a state.This is often why rebellions form under regimes, oppressive or otherwise. I think it is very interesting how the very things that globalization is praised for being able to do: bring people together to work on one collective goal, is being used to create havoc and destruction. The fact that there are many foreigners involved in ISIS is startling. I also would disagree with the idea that Western philosophies do not foster extremist actions of ISIS. As Professor Shirk pointed out, colonialism and slavery were formed and maintained because of western philosophies. Western ideas of capitalism, predestination, and superiority contributed greatly to past and continuing wars that have lead to the death of more people than ISIS has killed. I believe that a transnational citizenship is nearly impossible to achieve. Perhaps in the distant future it can happen but in today's highly border conscious world, it would be very difficult. Transnational citizenship threatens the security of borders and most countries will not allow it.
ReplyDeleteGrace, I think you raise quite a few valid points here, and I support your consideration of the brutalities which have erupted from Western philosophy - I didn't think about it that way initially.
DeleteAdditionally, you point out that "transnational citizenship threatens the security of borders." I think that the ability of persons outside of the state to identify/receive the benefits of citizenship of the given state would have severe implications for the manner in which states could establish jurisdiction and curb security threats.
Going off of these comments I do not believe ISIS has established itself as an internationally recognized state yet either and I do not think it is possible in the future. Although, it is a threat and its authority is recognized by some in ISIS run territories with having its own police force, courts for Muslim and Christian members living inside their boundaries, and newsletters and media translated in English to help "expand" their ideas, the international would never accredit the Islamic State as a legitimate international state. Also, with their brutal politics surrounding areas and nations will be soon forced to take action, such as the actions of Egypt in retaliation against this terrorist group.Therefore, internally in the future I believe ISIS's "power" will eventually dwindle internally as well.
ReplyDeleteI agree with you here, I think that external legitimacy is something which ISIS/ISIL will not gain in the international community, but internally I'm sure they see themselves as a legitimate caliphate on the rise.
DeleteI don't think that ISIS has established itself as an an internationally legitimate state; nor do I believe that it will ever. However, I do believe that it has and will possibly continue to gain legitimacy internally through the use of brutal force. ISIS controlled areas are aware of the threat that they pose and therefore may view them as a legitimate state internally. Particularly, since ISIS not only controls the locals everyday lives, but also the media.
ReplyDeleteI don't believe that ISIS is a legitimate state internationally but I do feel that it could become a legitimately recognized state if their path continues. They have continued to grow larger and larger and as they do they could begin to take larger areas in the middle east they will have to be seen as a state simply because of the area that they control.
ReplyDelete