Socioeconomic factors cause violence?
Evaluate the assertions by Ehrlich and Liu that differential population growth rates between Israelis and Palestinians “may exacerbate the conditions that breed terrorism.” What information do they provide that supports their contention that the different rates do actually contribute to terrorism?
Potential terrorists are predominantly young adult males (Ehrlich & Liu 2002). Ehrlich and Liu cite that with poverty, a general lack of responsibility, and general indifference towards mortality, it is hard to find terrorists who are not young adult males. "Based on the... FBI's most wanted terrorist list, we found that approximately 90% of those on the list were males and from 22 to 34 years old when their first alleged terrorist act took place" (Ibid.). The authors go on to cite FBI statistics that 65% of American crime is committed by young adults, while Chinese youth commit approximately 70% of crime in that country. "Without dramatic action the demographic and socioeconomic conditions in the... Middle East and South Central Asia could continue to generate terrorism and terrorists for many decades to come" (Ibid.).
The potential for future terrorism is the disparate birth rates between Muslims and the rest of the world. While birth rates are at or below population-sustainable levels throughout industrialized society, Muslim countries' birth rates are far above that. "A huge influx of restless young men in any country is bad news. When accompanied by even small economic and social change, it usually produces a new politics of protest" (Hendrixson 2003).
Jews in Israel are becoming outnumbered by being outbred. "Some Jews are afraid of being overwhelmed by Arab numbers; some Arabs see their baby boom as a weapon with which to destroy Israel" (Ehrlich & Liu 2002). A disproportionate number of young males will be born in Muslim nations, into endemic poverty and a lack of education. What little education these youth receive is wrapped in hatred of westerners, Jews, and Zionists. "Huge numbers of boys now under 15, many in Muslim nations acquiring a hatred for the United States, will enter the high crime years" within the next decade (Ibid.). The development of these nations is hobbled by the youth bulge and their youth are expected to rise up and fight.
Sources:
Ehrlich, Paul R. and Liu, Jianquo. "Some Root Causes of Terrorism." Population and Environment, November 2002, Vol. 24, Iss. 2, p. 183-193.
Hendrixson, Anne. "The 'Youth Bulge': Defining the Next Generation of Young Men as a Threat to the Future." Hampshire College Population and Development Program, Winter 2003, Iss. 19. Internet: Link, accessed 11 Dec 2006.