Struggle of Ideologies Symbolic of Post World War II Era

Two of the greatest struggles that America has been involved in since the end of World War II have revolved around opposing ideologies. For the cold war it was about Communism versus democracy and in the current struggle it is involves an ideology of Islamic extremism. Some believe that the cold war was due to Soviet aggression and a struggle for power where as the war on terrorism is the weak versus the strong. Others see it as a lack of negotiations and institutions that both sides would agree to discuss the issues at hand. Understanding that both of these struggles were caused by ideology provides a better perspective, where it is understood what provided the roots causing them to start and flourish.

A common theme between these two conflicts is the essence of good versus evil. The cold war was a struggle against democracy and communism, which was a monumental fight for humanity. One of the domestic views of Marxist-Lenin ideology was that the belief that "communism was the wave of the future and would eventually vanquish capitalism." (Nau, p.133) This kind of fervent nationalism provided the fuel for the cold war to continue because in the communist's idea they were not going to call a truce to a "superior force." This is also where we can draw a parallel with the struggle with Islamic extremists. Many in America say it is not a religious war for them but the opposite is believed for those in the Middle East.

For many Islamic nations, oppression and tyranny has been a stinging reality for their population while the elite live in fabulous mansions. As an answer to this, extremism has been cultivated, which is then fueled by fierce anti-western rhetoric. Among the extremist Islamic they denounce people of other religions and cultures; they believe the way others live is inferior to how they conduct their lives. This again has created a sense of nationalism where Islamic fanaticism has created an uprising in the Middle East and they see the American ways as inferior and thus needs to be eradicated.