Almost a week ago we witnessed an executive order that was called “extreme vetting”.  In practice, it temporarily stopped the Muslim immigration to the US from 7 nation-states. You know the results of that act.  Say what you will, I’m not stating yea or nay or trying to influence. You will need to come to your own conclusion.  I’m just trying to add information which helps understand the issue of terrorism.  I’m hoping to be able to talk civilly with my fellow Americans

Would you like some facts about the fundamental issue causing terrorism as studied in France?  3 professors of Political Science and Economics in the US and France and another professor of Politics and International Affairs at Princeton have attempted to explain the fundamental issue in their writings, “Don’t Fear Muslim Immigrants” and “The Flawed Logic of Trump’s Executive Order, How Not to Fight Terrorism”.

All 4 have come to the same conclusions based on actual experiments in France.  To put one of their conclusions in the very simplest terms,  Muslim immigrants experience middle class employment discrimination that are 2 ½ times greater than Christian immigrants and even more so than native French.   Muslims in the study earned 15% less than the average French income for the same job. The employers express concerns about two cultural differences; religious and gender roles.  First, the secular employers are worried, thinking there will be religious demands by the Muslims. Second, there may be conflict between male and female employees considering the view of gender roles in the Muslim culture.

So, two values that the west holds very dear, the separation of church and state and women’s rights, bring about discrimination by employers.  A chain reaction begins.  This discrimination transfers to the non-immigrant French.  They are less-cooperative with Muslims even when no hostility is evident in the interaction. Muslims, perceiving this, cling to their culture which further separates them from their host society.  The differences widen and deepen from one generation to the next, which further increases the discrimination.  Unrest is created.

I think it’s interesting that, in France, this issue starts on the job.  I wonder if the same is true in the US?  Will the “extreme vetting” add to the problem? I wonder if, in America, a lack of middle class jobs for Americans, Muslims, other immigrants, men, and women would only exacerbate this type of discrimination?

https://www.foreignaffairs.com/articles/2017-02-01/wrong-way-stop-terrorism

https://www.foreignaffairs.com/articles/2017-01-30/flawed-logic-trumps-executive-order