• IN THIS SECTION
• Global
• Military Operations
• Intelligence
• Diplomacy
• Cultural Programs
• FAQ
• Ask Willa
• Medal of Honor
• Willa Questions & Answers

Obama Traveling to Denmark to Pitch Olympic Bid

What do you think of Obama going to Denmark to make a pitch for Chicago's bid for the 2016 Olympic Games?

It is great, our president should represent the USA in decisions on the Olympics
It is a terrible distraction for him to be going to Denmark while he shelves his decision on Afghanistan and our soldiers are dying there every day
I don't know
I don't care

View results

FAQ Global #2

2. Does democracy have any effect on terrorism?

It takes a lot to convince someone to sacrifice his future to become a terrorist. This is not a logical decision for someone under normal circumstances and usually accompanies strong feelings of alienation. When a person feels that he has no hope for a better life and no control over his own circumstances, terrorism can offer an appealing sense of power. By carrying out these attacks, he is exercising the ultimate control over his own destiny and that of other people. Additionally, this decision is often made in the context of a society that has been permeated by Islamist ideology teaching that those people who die while killing the enemies of Islam are guaranteed entrance to heaven. The family of a fallen suicide bomber often see their loved one's decision as a source of honor and pride. Sometimes the family even receives a monetary reward which allows the suicide terrorist to support his family after his death.

But in a democracy, many of these influences disappear. Democratic systems allow their citizens to participate in shaping policy, which gives them a stake in their government's outcome and a feeling of control over their own lives. Political freedom generally accompanies economic development, helping to eradicate the extreme poverty that may persuade many young men that they can only bring honor and status to their families through their own deaths. Both of these developments stimulate, and are dependent upon, educational reforms that can help prepare citizens for a diverse array of professions suited to their individual interests and abilities. Democracy is not merely a Western phenomenon, but is suitable for all countries with an educated population. All people deserve the freedom to influence their own government and control their own lives. When they find this sort of freedom, they begin to develop the complex network of social, political, and economic contacts that makes someone less susceptible to terrorist indoctrination and more willing to live and work peacefully.