Dar Al-Hayat editorial - What Hope for Arab Democracy?

[cascadiance]

Interesting opinion piece posted in the Arab press just a bit ago that really hilights how the Arab world is frustrated with their rulers now. On the one hand, many don't like the theocratic/autocratic rulers that they have now, and want change. On the other hand, most hate the way Bush is "spreading democracy" over there, so trying to unite behind a quest for Democracy is also made worse by our efforts in Iraq, since they view the "spreading Democracy" as a guise for our other aims at continuing the subjugation of that area by the west.

It's back to what I've said all along in many places. Successful democracy must be worked on from within, not "foisted" on a country. We did it ourselves. Turkey also did it themselves (as one of the only examples from this area).

Bushco is making it worse by making Democracy a "bad name" that they don't want to identify with, even though it would be a good thing if they were allowed to and nurtured to pursue it themselves.

Arab intellectuals meeting in France are clearly frustrated here...

From:
http://english.daralhayat.com/opinion/OPED/06-2005/Article-20050603-42b7d6ff-c0a8-10ed-004e-5e7af0f2cfed/story.html

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What Hope for Arab Democracy?
Patrick Seale Al-Hayat 2005/06/3

A striking feature of the Arab world today is a burning sense of impatience, bordering on revolt, with the existing state of affairs. The thirst for change is palpable. From one end of the region to the other -- and with very few exceptions -- the Arabs are unhappy with the way they are governed. In several countries there is a feeling that an explosion is near.

When the Egyptians cry kifaya! - Enough! - they are expressing a mood of defiance and insubordination which is to be found, in one form or another, in many different Arab centres of population.

Perhaps the main grievance feeding the movement is the repressive nature of most Arab regimes. Ruling elites cling to power and economic privilege, even at the risk of destroying their own country. Corruption is rampant. Wealth is unevenly distributed. Poverty is everywhere. Dissent is stifled, and even dialogue is barely tolerated. All this has created a huge reservoir of injustice which threatens to spill over into rebellion.

An obstacle to change is precisely the overlapping of political power with economic benefit. If losing power means losing wealth - and perhaps even losing one's life - then few ruling elites will yield power willingly.

Another major source of dissatisfaction is the apparent inability of Arab states to defend themselves against their external enemies. In spite of huge oil revenues, the Arabs seem unable to create effective armed services. Israel continues to devastate Palestinian society with total impunity, while the United States has arrogantly invaded and smashed a leading Arab state without encountering the slightest opposition from the rest of the Arab family.
...

[PATRICK]

1. Marketing "democracy" for new

dictators. The powers in the ME are almost enthused about the "brand" as it comes replete with all the fixings, probably the stunningly ignored capabilties of e-voting machines to give "stability" to uneasy crowns.