Compassion over Revenge
Using History to Recognize an Opportunity for Change
The events of that occurred in Paris on friday have really shaken me. These actions came in the context of a series of many other tragedies, namely the suicide bombing in Beirut, and the destruction of a Russian civilian airline. In both incidences ISIS (Daesh) have claimed responsibiltity.
In a video produced by the Vox news agency, Will McCants of the Brookings Institution makes an argument to explain why Daesh is shifting away from territorial issues, towards more globalized acts of terror. McCants believes that Daesh is attacking from a point of weakness as they have been losing territory over the past few months due to the military repsonse of both the Russians and the American led coalition (of which France is a part of). Due to their inability to respond to the West’s overwhelming military power, it performs these acts of terror in an attempt to deter intervention.
This story got me thinking about alternatives towards a reaction that is steeped in anger in revenge. To be clear, I do not begrudge the people of Paris, Beirut, or Russia their feelings or their demands for justice. However, the current policy of revenge is clearly not the answer.
I believe a possible solution lies within the past.
In 1918, emotions ran high in the wake of the First World War. Just like France — and the world — today, there was a strong call to enact retribution against the Germans for the nation’s suffering. This is the context in which the Treaty of Versailles was written in June of 1919. Under these terms, the Germans were made to accept full responsibility for the outbreak of the war, and made to suffer personally under economic reparations.
It was under the terms of this treaty that German economy was destroyed and its people humiliated. Under these conditions, the nation became prone to radical ideas for national renewal. These are the circumstances that allowed Adolf Hitler to come to power. Revenge led to the destruction of a nation and the rise of Nazi Germany and the Second World War.
The difference in which the post-war period was conducted after the Second World War differs from that of the First in one key way: compassion and pragmatism over revenge and anger.
Europe was devastated in 1945. Knowing that retribution helped create the Nazis, the US government recognized the importance of economic stability as a factor in lasting peace. The US enacted the Economic Recovery Program, know popularly as the Marshall Plan. This was an effort to assist in the recovery and rebuilding of Europe to the tune of $120 billon USD in aid (in modern dollars). This was a significant factor in creating the Europe we know and love today. But more importantly, this act of compassion helped transform Germany, once the greatest threat to Western democracy, into one of the world’s strongest economies and a truly globalized culture.
In these two examples I see a lesson that can be learned. Post 9/11, the West has conducted a war against terror. For nearly 14 years, every new threat — real or percieved — has been met with overwhelming military force. This military force has the effect of radicalizing youth at an exponential rate. In the wake of the November 13th attacks in Paris, can we honestly say that we are safer for our troubles?
Using history as a lesson, I think it is time for a fundamental change in our hearts and minds towards our perceived enemies. Of course justice needs to be served, but in a tempered and restrained manner. Western democracies have some of the most well trained special forces in the world. Why not use them — it worked against Osama Bin Laden. Restrained reaction not only saves lives, but communicates that we see innocents as innocents and not “collateral damage.”
Instead of overwhelming force of arms, we aid in the reconstruction of devastated areas. Create avenues for education and opportunity so that people have alternative to radicalized options.
If McCants’ theory is right, I believe this is a golden opportunity to turn the page on what is clearly a destructive and vicious cycle. If Daesh is truly weakening, it is on us to — forgive the pun — kill them with kindness. It is true, violence only begets violence, only peace can create peace.
Today I am a Parisian, a Beiruti, and a citizen of the world. I hope that we do not forget our values, our beliefs, and ourselves in our darkest hours.
