It's really interesting that America was unable to coerce some of these countries into democracy. It is obvious that these people aren't going to be forced into a new way of life by the likes of us. If things are going to change for the better in the Arab world then the change is going to have to come from within. The people of these countries are going to have to get sick and tired of being oppressed before any real change is going to happen. The article do describe several ways the Arab people are starting to fight for change. Their is the television station Al Jazeera that is allowed to report on the real news in the Arab world. Women are also starting to demand more rights. Something as simple as driving a car is still illegal in many Arab countries. Of course this change is easier said than done and how these leaders keep control is really remarkable. One of these ways is through pseudo democracy and sham elections. These leaders know who is going to win even before the election and if they don't, there is no significant amount of power up for grabs anyway. Another problem is that many in the Arab world are simply not interested in politics. They have disregarded all politics for religion. This is of course encouraged by the government of these places as it ensures their power even further.
This was really an interesting report to read. I knew so little about the Arab world and its people. It was refreshing to be able to learn facts about a people that very little in this country understand or take the time to try to understand, myself included.
Chris N
I agree it is very interesting how many of these totalitarian regimes control the population with sham democracy including rigged elections and powerlesss parliaments. The power to change must come from within and no amount of coercion from the US can make them a democracy. Also, the religious and secular factions have to see past their differences and work together to better their country.
ReplyDeleteThe reason for the sham democracies is because we have attempted to force democracy on the arab nations. We now know this does not work. Nations must want democracy and develop it themselves. That is the only way they will accept it. Look at our own nation for instance. Democracy was not forced upon us, but rather established because we as a nation wanted it. The ideas from the enlightenment that led to our nation's constitution, the french revolution, and gradual reform in the Britain all came from the will of the people, not an outside force. The support for dictators in the middle east by the west over the past few decades has laid a foundation of corruption that cannot be overturned unless the arab people take a stand to do so.
ReplyDeleteGlad you enjoyed this snapshot of a part of our global society. As we are tracing the future and past of this and other regions, it is indeed a good idea to keep in mind that it it is only one part of the puzzle that is the global society.
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