McGrath of Harlow 21 Jan 04 - 06:55 PM

"...the drama and spectacle. The kind of thing that people enjoy in a lot of Hollywood movies.

Another is the idea of a strong and decisive leadership, taking decisions that sort out all the complicated problems, doing what needs to be done. "Triumph of the Will."

Another is the idea of all of "us" together, proud and undefiant. And free from the contamination of those among "us" who aren't part of "us". "Tomorrow belongs to us".

And another is the appeal of getting in touch with our roots, where we came from. Escaping from the chains of rationality and logic and compromise.

Put it in those kinds of terms and it's not hard to see how a very seductive package can be put together,"

Certainly works for Yasser Arafat and his followers.