Anomie...Iran, U.S. And Ethical-Religious Reasoning

[Bilal Mahmud المكافح المخلص]

In his classic study "Suicide" (1897), French Sociologist Emile Durkheim coined the term anomie. Anomie derived

photo: AP / Vahid Salemi

Article by WN.com Correspondent Dallas Darling.

from the Greek word "lawlessness" and according to Durkheim, it was "the lack of moral consensus and normative control in society, resulting from a breakdown of traditional authority." Since then, anomie has been used by Sociologists to describe the disintegration of social controls and ethics, specifically in modern industrialized societies undergoing major transitions. Sociologists observed individuals, including political leaders, who no longer felt accountable to each other nor constrained by traditional and moral constraints. They believed this kind of extreme narcissistic behavior and egotistical elitism led to the breakdown of social contracts and interpersonal relationships and bonds. Anomie also caused insecurity and alienation, even suicide.

It is little wonder, then, that Iran believes the United States is not following a "rational" approach regarding its foreign policy. While proclaiming an end to the U.S.-Iraqi War and a complete troop withdraw, the U.S. is significantly increasing its military presence in the region. Even though the U.S. claims it wants to improve relations with Iran, it constantly threatens Iran with more punitive sanctions and believes Iran is the "biggest threat." And while the U.S. is "prepared to militarily engage Iran," a leaked report just revealed Israeli leaders are trying to secure Cabinet consensus for an attack on Iran's civilian nuclear installations. President Barack Obama's warning to keep "unprecedented pressure" on Iran makes the U.S. appear it does not really want to establish a meaningful dialogue with Iran. It also makes U.S. leaders seem immorally arrogant and deprived of understanding.

The Persian Gulf and its strategic importance and valuable resources is not the only gulf separating Iran and the U.S. In the words of Iran's Foreign Minister, the U.S. is "not following a rational and prudent approach. The Americans always have a deficit, unfortunately in rationality and prudence.." This gulf, this deficit in foresight, is the inability of the U.S. to utilize and pursue ethical and moral reasoning. Unlike Iran's foreign policy, which is based on a more traditional and moral approach to analysis and decision making, the U.S. is incapable of mustering the intellectual skills necessary to apply ethical principles fairly to Iran and Persian Gulf region. With its egocentrism and technologically superior attitude, not to mention a militant-like criminality in foreign affairs, or anomie policy, the U.S. has imposed irrational judgments while undermining its own principles.

Since Iran's Islamic Revolution in 1979, Iran is still trying to reverse decades of U.S.-imposed anomie behavior and unethical reasoning. The amalgamation of a theo-democracy is somewhat unique in modern times. Although the U.S. feels threatened by such a government, specifically due to its own secular and materialistic society, Iran has tried to forge a representative system based on Islamic laws. From an ethical and reasonable viewpoint, Iran protects the rights of its ethnic and religious minorities. With regards to its religious precepts, Iran and its Supreme Religious Leader has declared the use of nuclear weapons an abomination, or a sin against God. In modern times, perhaps there is still an important place and use for ethical-religious reasoning, a religious democracy, especially in light of America's absurd foreign policies and its suicidal tendencies.

In the U.S., the breakdown of "pro-life" religious and moral constraints has led to a foreign policy based on covetousness and self-righteousness, instead of honesty, integrity, justice, respect, and equality. Consider the lies and misrepresentations and distorting of facts surrounding the preemptive war against Iraq. Not only were weapons of mass destruction never located, but the war cost Americans trillions of dollars and killed 5,000 U.S. troops. Almost one million Iraqis were died while millions more became homeless refugees. But this is what occurs when American Exceptionalism and militant materialism violates the basic principles inherent in objectivity, honesty, empathy, and respect. Militarily forcing others to live up to standards the U.S. routinely violates, like torture and preemptive war, is clearly a violation of the principles inherit in justice and equality.

As in many other parts of the world, the U.S. is no longer pursuing ethical reasoning in its foreign policy or decision making processes. If it wants to truly improve relations with Iran and other nations, it must start to develop and acquire the principles of understanding and integrity. Recall that the Universal Declaration of Human Rights encourages "...recognition of inherent dignity and of the equal and inalienable rights of all members of the human family is the foundation of freedom, justice and peace in the world...Disregard and contempt for human rights have resulted in barbarous acts which have outraged the conscience of mankind..." The U.S. could model this kind of ethical reasoning by withdrawing all of its soldiers and military fortresses from the Persian Gulf. It should also recognize Iran's right to pursue peaceful nuclear energies for hospitals and universities.

Unlike the U.S., Iran has not trespassed nor invaded other peoples sovereign territories. Neither has it instigated ongoing wars and conflicts that have led to the deaths of hundreds of thousands of people and caused millions of refugees. At some point, the U.S. must recognize its delusional internalized realities are not mirroring the realities of the global community, let alone its appalling behavior. Calling the withdraw from Iraq a serious mistake, or believing U.S. leadership in the Persian Gulf is "essential," merely reveals more unethical-unreligious reasoning. With this kind of immoral thinking, expect more suicidal conflicts and more alienated and suicidal veterans.(1) If the U.S. continues to punish Iran and other popular movements, beware of a gnawing hunger that will someday eat the flesh of the usurper.(2) Be forewarned too that too much sacrifice can turn a heart to stone.(3)

Dallas Darling ([e-mail])

 

 

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