The Propagation of Ideology Is Impossible Without War (Part One)
Introduction
War, regardless of its outcomes, is generally regarded as unpleasant and inhumane. However, throughout history, humans have frequently resorted to war in pursuit of their goals, engaging in major global conflicts. When war is viewed through the lens of ideology, it is often seen as the ultimate and most effective means of advancing a particular ideology.
Ideological individuals have repeatedly employed war as a tool to propagate their ideologies and eliminate obstacles in their path. It must be noted that the use of war to promote ideologies varies across different ideological systems. Therefore, this article addresses a fundamental question: Is it possible to propagate an ideology without war?
In this discussion, the term “war” refers specifically to state warfare, not the scattered conflicts of non-state groups, because such groups are generally incapable of using war to expand their ideologies into new territories—except in cases of self-defense or defending a specific piece of land.
The significance of this topic is best understood by ideological individuals, who recognize the immense impact of war in advancing ideologies. For example, the flawed capitalist ideology, which currently dominates the world, was imposed through war and deception. It was forced upon people across the globe, and anyone who resists it is labeled a “terrorist” and becomes the target of serious efforts for elimination.
Propagating Ideology Without War Is Impossible:
1. Power as a Prerequisite for Propagating Ideology:
To propagate an ideology effectively, the first essential requirement is power—power that enables the transportation and enforcement of the ideology. Possessing such power implies the existence of a strong state capable of consistently implementing and upholding the principles and rules of that ideology. Power is an indispensable component in the propagation of any ideology; without it, ideology cannot be spread.
So, what is power?
In my opinion:
Power refers to all the available resources that can be used to advance and propagate an ideology. These may include the political influence of a state on the global stage, its military strength, its robust economy, or any other contributing factors. However, it’s important to note that the way these resources are utilized differs from one ideology to another.
The effectiveness of power in propagating ideology can clearly be observed in the early period of Islam. The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) and his companions (may Allah be pleased with them) made great efforts to invite people to Islam during the Makkah period. However, only a small number accepted their message. But once the Islamic state was established in Madinah, tribes began embracing Islam in large numbers. Although the message remained the same as in Makkah, the acquisition of power by the Prophet (peace be upon him) led to a massive wave of conversions. This trend continued even after his death.
It was this same power that allowed the Muslim state to expand its territory so widely that Caliph Haroon al-Rashid could address a passing cloud, saying, “Go wherever you wish—your tax revenue will reach the treasury of the Islamic state.” This illustrates just how effective Islamic power (the Islamic system) was in propagating and spreading Islam as an ideology, conquering vast lands and successfully implementing Islamic principles in a short time.
Today, however, Islam no longer possesses the power to enforce its system, and not only has its ideology failed to spread, but foreign ideologies have also been imposed upon its followers. For instance, the United States, as a powerful ideological state, continues to impose the capitalist ideology upon Muslims.
This raises a crucial question: Does the United States rely solely on military action to propagate its ideology?
This question is important because today we witness the enforcement of capitalist ideology upon the Muslim world.
Despite being the leading global power both militarily and politically, the U.S. often takes international realities into consideration when spreading its ideology. It does not always act recklessly. The invasion of Iraq was a rare exception, where America’s imprudence led to significant disgrace. After the Iraq debacle, the U.S. has somewhat scaled back its unilateralism on the world stage and is now more cautious, avoiding actions that could deepen global distrust and alienation toward it.
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