Title: War on terrorism: from the bloody clash of civilisations to a nonviolent coexistence of nations and civilisations

Authors: Antonis N. Vgontzas

Addresses: A. Vgontzas Partners & Assoc., Athens, Greece

Abstract: No one in the field of political science or legal profession has dared to give a clear and acceptable framework for a definition of the |terrorism|, due to the fact that terrorism changes through time. History examples show that terrorism has been used by liberation groups in order to seize power; by revolutionists, who changed the nature of political power; by anarchists, as a notion of propaganda by deed; by dictatorial leaders and finally by common criminals. Moreover, in the past two decades differences between civilisations have emerged and their interests have clashed. This resulted in the most dangerous aspect of terrorism, as terrorists seem to act |on behalf of the weak| and wage their |holy war| against their enemies. The legislative, administrative and police measures taken against terrorism, while numerous, have proven ineffective. The only effective solution against terrorism is true and sincere dialogue among parties-civilisations that respect other parties-civilisations. This approach will lead to a nonviolent coexistence of nations and civilisations. However difficult this dialogue may seem, it is the best safeguard against terrorism – and the only way for mankind to reach its destination, after a long and tiring journey, as Fukuyama describes it in his book.

Keywords: war on terror; global civilisation; clash of civilisations; nonviolent coexistence; nations coexistence.

DOI: 10.1504/GBER.2008.019020

Global Business and Economics Review, 2008 Vol.10 No.2, pp.211 - 215

Published online: 27 Jun 2008 *

Full-text access for editors Full-text access for subscribers Purchase this article Comment on this article