In an example of the strength of weblogs as a source for feet-on-the-ground perspectives from outside the pre-packaged channels of information, Danya has posted her photo-essay on the ramifications for Bedouin of the authority of the Israeli state. As Danya points out, the problems that Bedouin face are not unique to Israel’s governance; the U.S. has been there, done that, and Canada, and numerous other states. The Bedouin autonomy and nomadic way of life constitute them as an antigen for the body politic of the modern centralized state (even apart from the religious tensions that affect the Mideast) — could any modern state tolerate the existence of a distinct, mobile, self-determined people within their borders?
Posted by AKMA at July 27, 2004 09:49 AM | TrackBackcould any modern state tolerate the existence of a distinct, mobile, self-determined people within their borders?
That's a good question. And how does it work in the case of the Bedouin, who have land that they claim as their own, and are mobile only within the boundaries of their tribal/ancestral land?
Is it different than Native Americans, and if so how?
I heard recently that this year, for the first time in history, there are more people living in cities than not. The urbanization of the state has to have a lot to do with this, too. I mean, look at the way the Israeli govt. is trying to control the Bedouin--by putting them in cities.
Posted by: danya at July 27, 2004 11:16 AM