[np]: terror, society, politics

[lorentzen-nicklaus]

the following came on the luhmann-list:

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Hello,
I haven't read the text on terrorism by Peter Fuchs, and thus I am not 
quite sure of what is refered to when the question of terror as a 
spill-over effect is debated. Still, I find it difficult to think of the 
recent events in the US as a spill-over effect. Generally, this notion 
refers to ideas (values, goals) of one system being accepted and selected 
by another system. Thus, spill-over is about 'shared values', denoting 
that goals and values are becoming unified (if not mediatized). 

If we think in terms of the world society, then spill-over effects will be 
observed in terms of local practices being transformed to cope with the 
global development of the function systems. Thus, the development (!) of 
Afghanistan must be studied as a local (regional) practice being 
confronted with the global function systems. Now, if we think in these 
terms, then we will have problems thinking in terms of terror as a 
spill-over effect. Spill-over from what?      From the military power of 
the US? I accept that this could be an argument, but I don't think it is a 
good one. 

The most plausible answer is probably to be found in the local/regional 
practice being confronted with the function systems of modern society, the 
global/local difference i.e.). Thus, the terror is more like a kind of 
spin-off effect than a spill-over one, and I think we have to analyze the 
terror in terms of the political system. Thus, the terror is to be seen as 
local spin-off effects of the political system; instead of producing 
democracy, human rights, welfare etc. some (poor) regions will (re)produce 
local traditions (based on religion, etnicity, segmentation etc.). Thus, 
they will respond to the demand of the globally working economy. politics, 
edacuation, law etc. by emphasizing the tradition, namely the tradition of 
a segmented society based on strict  rules and violence. Political terror 
is nothing but an unexpected effect of the political system, a re-entry of 
politics into politics, if you want. 

Sverre Moe
Høgskolen i Stavanger
4004 Ullandhaug Norway
Sverre.Moe at hs.his.no