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david bornstein
November 2006 
Can trade reduce terrorism?
Posted on Sep 21st, 2006
by 
Peace Through Commerce
Peace Through Commerce
When you read about solutions to the problems posed by terrorism, the mainstream press rarely steps outside of the "security box" known as security strategy, a strategy involving how governments project, maintain, and develop their military power. But is war the only way to "fight" terrorism? Is it event the most effective?
In "A World For Good", Tricia Bisoux outlines an alternate program for terrorism reduction- a program relying on the power of goodness rather than the power of weapons. Bisoux agrees that economics plays a role in terrorism's ability to attract passionate young individuals, though she does not speculate on the extent of this role.
Addressing the economics of terror is something that business schools are particularly well-equipped to do, says David Bornstein, author of How to Change the World: Social Entrepreneurs and the Power of New Ideas. “In business schools, students are taught how to create cultures within companies based on values that create meaning for people, cultures where people strive to behave in a way that is applauded and valued,” says Bornstein. “Ironically, that’s exactly what organizations that spawn terrorists do. So many young people are willing to commit suicide and mass murder for Hamas because there’s a perverse social status reinforcing that kind of behavior. Posters are printed and circulated, their families are compensated, and many are proud to be the mother or brother of a so-called martyr.”
Bisoux goes on to note that "changing that set of values presents no easy task" and the ability to change values might depend on the ability to provide other entrepreneurial opportunities to young people in developing nations. The market for values, much like the market for products, produces better, less stagnant outcomes when competition flourishes.
What might "a business plan for peace" look like? How are entrepreneurs working right now to create a more prosperous, peaceful world in the context of terrorism and the conflicts in the Middle East?
Three Stanford students- Bryan Berkett, Uri Pomerantz, and Hisham Jabi- won the Stanford Social Venture Business Competition a few years ago with their business plan for Jozoor Microfinance. According to the profile in Bisoux's article:
Their ultimate goal was nothing less than to bring an end to violence between Israelis and Palestinians. Jozoor will provide business training and microloans to young Palestinians to help them start their own businesses—and, the three hope, make them less likely to join extremist groups. What makes this collaboration more amazing is that, by all logic, the three should be adversaries, not allies. Berkett is an American Jew from Beverly Hills, California. Pomerantz is an Israeli-American whose aunt was killed in a terrorist attack in Israel. And Jabi is a Palestinian who spent time in an Israeli prison and lost a cousin in an Israeli attack.
What might "a business plan for peace" look like? How are entrepreneurs working right now to create a more prosperous, peaceful world in the context of terrorism and the conflicts in the Middle East?
Three Stanford students- Bryan Berkett, Uri Pomerantz, and Hisham Jabi- won the Stanford Social Venture Business Competition a few years ago with their business plan for Jozoor Microfinance. According to the profile in Bisoux's article:
Their ultimate goal was nothing less than to bring an end to violence between Israelis and Palestinians. Jozoor will provide business training and microloans to young Palestinians to help them start their own businesses—and, the three hope, make them less likely to join extremist groups. What makes this collaboration more amazing is that, by all logic, the three should be adversaries, not allies. Berkett is an American Jew from Beverly Hills, California. Pomerantz is an Israeli-American whose aunt was killed in a terrorist attack in Israel. And Jabi is a Palestinian who spent time in an Israeli prison and lost a cousin in an Israeli attack.
These three young men have a great deal of personal and tacit knowledge to apply in their attempts to build peace in the Middle East. What might seem a good reason for emnity-- their different social and ethnic backgrounds- proved to be an asset to them. Make the best of what you are given, and what you give will make the best of you.
Posted by Alina / Visionista
Access: Public
