Throughout the history of western culture, and many other cultures as well, artistic progress has mirrored social progress, or perhaps the other way around. It is, therefore, not unreasonable to suggests that social change can be achieved at the hands of artistic and philosophical contemplation. I would like to propose, but certainly not insist, that perhaps the best solution to terrorism, fundamentalism, and violence is not leading violent wars of our own against these things, but rather funding art in those cultures most affected by these sorts of problems.
The Renaissance began with an explosion of funding for art. Early in that era the church controlled and funded most art, and most art was religious in nature. However, where there is art there is exploration and expression. Artists began at first with subtle explorations in their art, but as art was funded more and more the artists allowed themselves, and were allowed, greater freedom to explore their thoughts and emotions. Eventually this led to explorations, expressions, and inspiration that would change the way Europeans viewed the world. Fundamentalism was replaced with hope, wealth, and learning. This is natural, because art inspires feelings and minds. A society that is blessed in art will naturally be more curious, thoughtful, and emotional. Depression, one might argue, is a profound lack of aesthetic sense, a loss of art, and a depressed society, like a depressed person, is stagnant.
Why should we not take these observations from our own history and apply them to the world today? Perhaps we could take a few billion dollars and rather than spend it on guns and soldiers, spend it funding the art of our enemies. Should we control their art, should we force our own propaganda on them? No! We should fund their artists, freely giving them the opportunity to express themselves as individuals. If we do that then they will learn what it means to be an individual, rather than just a sheep being herded by their propagandist shepherd, whether fundamentalist or western, and it is individuality that is the source of democracy and the enemy of our enemies.
I imagine institutions of art, where locals can go to sing, dance, act, paint, sculpt, or write, with absolute freedom of expression. Will we like what they have to say? Of course not! At first their art will be fundamentalist art, and it will be full of spite for America , and full of blind-faith in their leaders and beliefs, but you cannot ask someone to be an individual and then punish them for their choices. Rather, let them express themselves, encourage and accept their views, learn from it, dialog with it, trust in the power of art. If we do this, their minds will change, not by force, but by nature. Individual expression breeds individualism. Violent expression breeds violence. Oppression and propaganda breeds blind obedience. So what kind of people do we really want our enemies to be, and how should we treat them if we wish to help them become what we envision that they could be?
Are we right in our beliefs? Are they wrong in theirs? Who can truly say? Perhaps it is arrogant of us to "envision" other cultures as anything, but that is why I say the path is art. Art is freedom, let them become what they will, let them evolve as they see fit, as we evolve as we see fit. I have confidence that if we do as such we will see fundamentalism stumble toward democracy as we did. The important thing is that art gives them the power to explore the possibilities, and that is worth funding.