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Politics : Foreign Affairs Discussion Group -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: Ilaine who wrote (37878)	8/14/2002 10:19:21 PM
From: Dayuhan	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 281500

Wouldn't it be fair to say that all movements, all revolutions have leaders? Most people mind their own business, no matter how miserable they are, until pushed or pulled. It would be fair, but wouldn't it also be fair to say that leaders can't lead without willing followers, and that there are certain social conditions that are strongly conducive both to the emergence of violent leaders and to the provision of a willing cadre of followers?

To: Ilaine who wrote (37878)	8/14/2002 11:37:44 PM
From: Nadine Carroll	Read Replies (2) \| Respond to of 281500

The people who favor the status quo call the ones who stir up pot "agitators" or maybe "outside agitators." And so they are. Doesn't mean the quiet people liked the situation. Doesn't necessarily mean they like the revolution, either. It is a question in my mind, how widespread the support for this intifada really is. On the one hand, polls show about 75% support for suicide bombings; on the other, most skilled obsevers describe this intifada as more top down than bottom up; and very large areas, particularly East Jerusalem, have stayed very quiet and out of it. And Israeli intelligence seems to be able to get quite enough collaboration to keep tabs on much of what goes on, though obviously not all of it. I have a suspicion that while all the Palestinians want the Israelis out and an end to checkpoints, a silent majority realize that this intifada is political imbecility; they just know better than to say anything in public. I have noted more than one reporter who said his interview subjects would criticize Arafat when alone with a reporter; but the minute their neighbor showed up, they would only criticize Israel. Charming hallmark of a police state, yes?