Radicalised? Scott Thomson muses on the common use of the term 'radical' and the religious element in ISIS jihadism and endorses the archbishop of Canterbury's plea for patient ideological effort to overcome extremism.

• Author: Thomson, Scott
• Position: COMMENT - Essay

I watched three young Americans suit-up and fly off to take part in a foreign war. Well actually, I watched their screen doubles during a film-shoot about three lads who joined the British forces before Americas entry into the First World War. Their motivation, according to the tide, was for 'God, Yale and Country'.

My men were just three of thousands who joined the Entente powers, some in a combat capacity, others as medical volunteers. They had moral support from some sections of American society. Once the United States entered the war in 1917, there could be no question: they were heroines and heroes.

One thing puzzles me. I hear nothing of young Americans joining the Central Powers. There must have been some who chose the losing side. Were they traitors? Were they just counted as German or Austrian? Did survivors slink back to America, or make their lives abroad?

Were both groups of volunteers 'radicalised? Or was it only those elusive losers who were at odds with the direction taken by their country? Perceptions change. In 1914 America decided the war in Europe was not their problem. In 2014 almost everything is perceived as America's problem--and by extension New Zealand's problem?

Key difference

The difference between my fly-boys and jihadists of present concern is that the aviators were 'radicalised' to join in a conflict while Westerners turned jihadists are reportedly radicalised from: that is away from and against Western societies in which some live. In their perspective, 'the West' has not delivered, whether in economic or life-style terms. It has not delivered as a society where they personally belong and are respected. That is why they might perform violent acts in our country.

The majority of jihadists from traditionally Islamic countries are also radicalised against societies that themselves have undergone widespread radicalisation, that is, by copying Western patterns. Turkey exemplifies a traditional Islamic state that secularised, but Turkey is now treading very carefully. Other 'Westernised' states, whether Saddam Hussein's Iraq or the Shah's Iran, did not last too well. That sort of radicalisation came from the West--capitalism, communism, democracy--and the perception is negative.

For almost a century intervention by Western interests has increased resentment and anger. There have been temporary successes, such as the restoration of Kuwait and the establishment of prosperous Gulf states. These successes have benefited...