'War on terrorism' and deep culture.
This article examines the reasons underlying the massive reaction to the terrorist attacks of 11 September 2001 compared with the lack of response to the many thousands of preventable deaths elsewhere daily. It is suggested that the explanation is the 'deep culture' of the United States based on the myth of the frontiersman. The world is divided into winners and losers, good and bad; non-US citizens are of less value as human beings. The only response allowed by this deep culture is striking back at 'the enemy'. The difficulties with this response are discussed and non-violent alternatives considered.
Barbara
Joanna Santa
JS
Department of Psychiatry and Centre for Peace Studies, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. joanna@web.net
D003469:Culture; D012945:Social Values; D023481:Terrorism; D014481:United States