1-29-2017
Response To: Katherine Heinzen
From: Miss. Bayo Elizabeth Cary, AA, BA, MLIS
Re: How do the
religious, and spiritual needs, of upper class American women and youth-relate,
to online recruitment, by the Muslim “terrorist” organizations: IS, and ISIS?
The theory I have chosen
to help answer my research question is Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs. This is a
cross-disciplinary application where “theoretical approaches are ‘borrowed’
from diverse disciplines” (O’Connor 2012), in this case from psychology.
Maslow’s Hierarchy purports that all human beings have legitimate “needs” in
order to be fulfilled, and these needs can be subdivided into a pyramid of
categories ranging from the most basic physical level up to self-actualization.
In-between are a variety of security-based, social and emotional needs
(including love). –Katherine Heinzen
I really
like the idea you have, of cross-referencing, to another closely related
academic field-that of psychology. I agree with you-entirely. For a
relationship, of any sort, to be attractive, the interaction, must be serving,
some sort of positive purpose. Maslow’s Hierarchy of needs, has-at its very
bottom, the most basic, and fundamental, of human needs: shelter, food,
security, clothing, etc.-these needs are obvious, and easy to identify.
When,
you begin to discuss: “self-actualization,” and what that may, or may not mean
to someone-you begin to delve, into a more complex realm, of complicated
emotions, and usually, needs, that exit sometimes, and, cannot be easily, or
readily identified. It is said, that the: “self-actualization,” level, that
Maslow proposes-as the very highest functioning level of need-is, such a
complex intellectual yearning, that, many people-even if they have all
else-never reach this higher degree of achievement-almost, as if, this higher
needs area-could be compared, to something spiritual-like: “Nirvana.”
I think,
that what is obvious, and not discussed enough-regarding: IS, and ISIS, is
that, the group is in fact, lead, on the basis, of religious ideals. What I
gathered, from your allusion, to: Maslow’s highest level of functioning: “self-actualization,”
was-that you have perceived, that, the religious elements, of the: IS, and ISIS
groups-though little discussed-do, most likely, contribute, and to a greater
extent, than many care to acknowledge, to the attractiveness, and comfort, that
women, and young adults feel-when, they move from middle class America, into,
the open arms, of: “radical Islam.”
Islamic State relies
heavily on the recruitment of foreign fighters. We examine this recruitment
from an organizational perspective. We analyze how the process of recruitment
of foreigners shapes the adverse selection problem affecting the dissident
groups that they join. We also examine the different mechanisms used to
maintain the allegiance and compliance of foreigners as opposed to indigenous
recruits. More broadly, we analyze how the recruitment of foreign fighters
affects the organization. Foreign fighters and local recruits exhibit
significant differences in recruitment patterns and motivations for joining IS.
This could create problems for the organization. Evidence of such strife,
however, is not discernible. Given the information at hand, IS appears to be
effectively managing the mix of foreign and local recruits. (Gates and Podder
2015, 106)
I think, that the excerpt above-a quote taken from the
peer-reviewed journal: Perspectives on
Terrorism, is also, elucidating the point-that you brought to
light-regarding, the emphasis, on: IS and ISIS, that, the religious aspects, of
the organizations-are the most attractive parts, of the organizations (Gates
and Podder 2015, 106). I think, that, the problem that I have, with active “terrorism”-whether,
it be based on; a religion, or some sort of “fanaticism,” is the: “complaint,”
itself. When, a group of dissidents, become large enough, to require:
organization, funding, and weapons-to fight, then, whatever problem exists-political
and/or otherwise, is-in fact, pronounced enough-to talk about.
I
respect a people’s rights, to have an opinion. However, when we
disagree-please, let us talk about it first, before you start, blowing me, and
my friends-and family up. I am not soo disagreeable, towards Muslims, or
towards the Muslim religion, and, I strongly feel and think, that, the American
government, does not work: honestly enough-to settle political disagreements-peacefully.
I understand, and soo does much of the rest of the world-that: IS and ISIS
members, are angry about something, however-that is all I know. I would, were
it my decision-much prefer, to have a conversation, and, to come to some sort
of mutual agreement-that, would leave both parties appeased, as opposed to, the
fear, of subjecting another innocent human being-to another unwarranted, and,
unexpected death.
References
McLeod, S. A. 2016. Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs.
Creative
Commons Attribution-No
Commercial Usage. Accessed January 29, 2017. http://www.simplypsychology.org/maslow.html
Gates, Scott and Podder, Sukanya. 2015. “Social Media,
Recruitment,
Allegiance and the
Islamic State.” Perspectives on Terrorism,
vol. 9. 4.: 107-116. Accessed January 29, 2017. http://www.terrorismanalysts.com/pt/index.php/pot/article/view/446
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