Letters: The barriers of society

I would like to comment on an article titled "Religious fanaticism and terrorism," (The Jakarta Post, Aug. 7). I believe capitalism is one of the major factors behind the tragedy of terrorism that haunts Indonesia. We all need to belong to something, to be part of a greater effort, to have a valued function in life.

If I may make a very simplified observation. I see there are three main divisions in Indonesian capitalist society.

There are the owners of the means of production, who are doing fine and in control. They can manipulate the system and take advantage of it.

Second, there are employees and their families. They directly or indirectly contribute a service to the capitalist economy and make a living from it. Already on the ladder of achievement and success, their lives have direction and they feel they are functioning members of society.

Finally there are the unemployed or unemployable. They are mostly under educated and not in control of their lives. Their present is unstable, their future is uncertain. They look around and feel cheated, and are resentful. The world is not fair.

There are quite large barriers limiting movement between these groups, especially between the third and the second tiers.

Government policy must aggressively dissolve these barriers in order to shape the social economy so more people can move from the third group to the second.

Easier said than done I know. But I firmly believe the key is education. Providing universal education would give graduates knowledge and life skills, so at least they have the opportunity to enter a career and obtain some direction and hope. It would allow them to be part of general society instead of being on the outside looking in.

Because they are usually poorly educated, youths in the third group are ideal targets for the terrorist recruiters. These kids want to be told a reason for their plight and be offered an easy solution. Even better, they want to be a part of the solution! With a decent education, they would be able to see the flaws and reject the overtures of the hate spreaders.

Andrew
Tangerang