two perceptions of social order

Submitted by myth (Germany), May 31, 2013 at 17:42

I agree with both explanations as to why Cameron did not want to attribute the Lee Rigby murder to Islam. First, Cameron avoids antagonizing moderate muslims. Second, he wants to evade the necessity of policy measures directed against muslims were he to blame islam.

I offer a third explanation that is at the core of the second. Cameron overlooks that social order was seriously and intentionally challenged and had not been restored.

The murder of a soldier disrupts public order. When the police arrest the murderer Cameron sees social order restored. The number of islam-related murders is insignificant compared to the total sum of homicides in Britain - no need to respond. That is the Western perspective. It is based on the idea that all citizens share the same concept of social order.

The perception of social order from an islamist standpoint differs in sequence. When the killer murders a soldier in the name of islam, it is this act that restores social order. It is the social order of the sharia. The subsequent arrests by the police are but a negligible side effect.

When Cameron concludes with "go about our normal lives" he misjudges the restoration of social order. A substantial fraction of 10% or more muslims go along with the sharia social order. They may be disgusted with the details of the killing, but they do welcome the death of a british soldier who fought on muslim territory.

The police could do nothing to re-align those non-violent islamists with the British social order. Cameron underestimates the extent of the effects. He does see the killer but he is blind to the many silent islamist supporters who are reaffirmed both by the crime and the PM's reaction.

If I was Prime Minister on that day I would have said "The British people and I have doubts that every muslim in Britain condems this murder".

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