Prof William Maley

Australian National University, Australia

Australian Approaches to Dealing with Muslim Militancy

Abstract

In shaping approaches to dealing with Muslim militancy, it is necessary to reflect on the nature of the challenges which terrorism can present to liberal polities-given that it is fear of terrorism which has inspired the whole discussion-but more fundamentally it is necessary to reflect also on the requirements of liberalism itself.

A respectable argument can be mounted that a free society is not one in which some cluster of 'values' prescribes a hierarchy of ends, but rather one in which diverse values and visions of social good can co-exist freely.

In this presentation, Prof. Maley argues that militancy is ultimately a disposition of individuals, and it is at this level, rather than through stereotypical images of 'Muslims', that militancy should be addressed. This requires a high degree of self-discipline on the part of political leaders and opinion makers who routinely slip into sweeping generalisations as a form of political rhetoric.

Bio

William Maley assumed the position of Foundation Director of the Asia-Pacific College of Diplomacy on 1 July 2003.

He taught for many years in the School of Politics, University College, University of New South Wales, Australian Defence Force Academy, and has served as a Visiting Professor at the Russian Diplomatic Academy, a Visiting Fellow at the Centre for the Study of Public Policy at the University of Strathclyde, and a Visiting Research Fellow in the Refugee Studies Programme at Oxford University.

He is also a Barrister of the High Court of Australia,a member of the Executive Committee of the Refugee Council of Australia, and a member of the Australian Committee of the Council for Security Cooperation in the Asia Pacific (CSCAP).

In 2002, he was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia (AM).