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Counter arguments?

Reader comment on item: It Takes a Ph.D. in Political Science …

Submitted by nae (Canada), Oct 1, 2006 at 21:15

You don't really offer any counter arguments here. Rather, you just point to a paragraph as if to say ‘look how ignorant this is.'

Warner and Wenner's main argument is that Islam is not institutionalized at the national level in European states due to internal doctrinal and ethnic divisions. Do you agree with that? I can't really tell.

The authors go on to suggest that the lack of a unified voice will marginalize Muslim political demands in European states. If you don't agree then offer a more plausible scenario. A few possibilities:

  1. Muslim's may not be institutionalized nationally, but the can still effectively mobilize around key symbolic issues (foreign policy, blasphemy, etc).
  2. Muslim demands are primarily local (schooling, separate swimming) and they are able to successfully overcome diversity and organize at this level of government
  3. The Muslim population has a latent political influence on policy-makers in European states ("if we don't approve this Mosque construction plan then our Muslim population will turn to violence").

The authors took you seriously enough to quote you (not much engagement with your arguments, but you're still there). Maybe you should take them seriously enough to offer a substantive critique of their work.

Submitting....

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Daniel Pipes replies:

I have written at some length on Islam and Muslims in Europe, will do so more in the future, and do not see a need to repeat those arguments here.

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Reader comments (17) on this item

Title Commenter Date Thread
Diverse immigrants become homogenized in new society [644 words]Jason KeuterOct 20, 2006 01:0462153
1It takes a Ph.D. in Political Science [67 words]S.C.PandaOct 4, 2006 05:5058864
The possible future of a Muslim Bloc in Western Europe [107 words]TL MillerOct 3, 2006 10:2458730
1They are wrong, but they have a point [168 words]Jim EckertOct 2, 2006 10:5658592
Counter arguments? [198 words]
w/response from Daniel Pipes
naeOct 1, 2006 21:1558530
Academics, Diplomats and Journalists - Follow the $, € & £ [123 words]Jeff BurkeSep 30, 2006 16:4858371
1I am just so relieved. . .?!? [303 words]Richard C. KressSep 30, 2006 16:1158364
decades of embracing population control [141 words]sueSep 30, 2006 14:3158352
Warner and Wenner in Dreamland [91 words]LeonardSep 29, 2006 21:2158262
Turning a blind eye! [378 words]NickSep 29, 2006 20:1058255
Turning a blind eye [93 words]nickSep 29, 2006 19:4458250
Islam is facscist , militant, totlitarian, terrorism & racist [93 words]f.shakkiSep 29, 2006 18:4058236
Christian Europe will disappear [56 words]Melvin A. FechterSep 29, 2006 12:5058204
1It All Depends On Where You Are Standing [295 words]JOverton, CaliforniaSep 29, 2006 12:1458198
How much in common? [124 words]Barbara MoellerSep 30, 2006 21:4658198
Europe [79 words]JaySep 29, 2006 09:5258180
NO DRASTIC DECLINE of serious crime in many big American cities [91 words]debbieSep 29, 2006 03:4758153

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