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Sunday 9 December 2012

Geopolitics of Emotion - Dominique Moisi

Kind of in the same category as "Revenge of Geography".  Too many gross generalizations, stereotypes and platitudes at the base of his discussions.  Once you wince at these, the whole development of ideas seems to go nowhere.  He may think he is writing from a fairly objective point of view but his western biases in relation to progress, the desirable future, the point of society etc. are very apparent as the assumed givens at the base of his points.
I read the beginning and the chapter on Islam and Arabs.  He is right about humiliation and its role in this situation, but he could have said what he has to say is far fewer pages - it would have been clearer and more to the point.

Some references though:

Edward Said

The Reluctant Fundamentalist - Mohsin Hamid (novel - Pakistan)

Samir Kassir - Being Arab (assassinated lebanese newspaper columnist)

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