Q. How can business strategy that you describe here provide an alternative to extremist ideology and terrorism?

The leaders of terrorist organizations are, more often than not, driven by extremist ideologies. Militant Islam, for example, weaves together fundamentalist religious beliefs, moral values, and a radical political agenda to create a particularly virulent form of such extremism. As the leaders of such groups know, however, special circumstances are required to attract the large numbers of people needed to effectively advance the cause. Most people are not born to be suicide bombers or militia members. It takes a lifetime of neglect, despair, dashed hopes, thwarted opportunities, or worse--intimidation, exploitation and humiliation--to drive most people to such extremes. Only by reversing the conditions that breed such behavior--poverty, inequity, hopelessness, loss of dignity--will we deal with the root cause of the problem. Yet while thousands of lives were lost or altered forever by the events of 9-11, and hundreds of known terrorist leaders have since been killed or captured, these underlying conditions remain largely unchanged--or have perhaps even worsened. Terrorism, in short, is a symptom; the underlying problem is unsustainable development.

In today's New York Times, Elizabeth Becker and David Sanger report that President Bush refuses to deviate from his administration's policy not to increase aid for Africa, despite strong support for such a proposal from US allies including Great Britain.  Thus, in the run-up to the G8 summit in Scotland next month, I find myself asking, "What's the private sector's response?"  While many in the development community have latched onto the double-aid-for-Africa bandwagon, it’s looking less and less likely to happen as currently packaged.  Sorry, Jeff Sachs and Co. 

So what's the next step?  With the Bush Administration firmly in business' corner, perhaps now is a good time for the private sector to step up and talk about business opportunities in low-income markets.  I’ve heard about two events happening in Scotland around the G8 meeting.  The first will be co-organized by the Partnership to Cut Hunger and Poverty in Africa and the German Marshall Fund.  The second will be run by Business Action for Africa.  Both seem pretty interesting, and high-level.  Hopefully something real will result.