'Winter is Coming' ~ Lord Eddard Stark - Game of Thrones
Spring is elation. The growth of new things. But spring ends...and the long winter is never too far away. And for Egypt, Winter is Coming.
The Arab Spring brought hope for democracy in North-Africa and the Middle-East after a long period of autocratic rule. However, the initial joy of spring is giving way to the harsh realities of winter. In Egypt specifically, the people have returned to the square they made famous after the topple of Hossni Mubarak. This time, they want President Morsi out.
Of concern to this desk is the seeming erosion of one of democracy's guiding principles that dictate that governments should be legitimately replaced through the ballot. The view from the Attache's desk is disconcerting because a dangerous precedent is being set in Egypt. The pattern that is developing is that if the citizenry is dissatisfied with the policies of a government, the best solution is to go to the streets. What's worrying is that it actually seems to work. The question is where, if at, will this cycle of installation and removal of governments end?
The concern is that just as there was a 'domino effect' in the Arab spring, where one governments fall was followed by another, we might see a similar domino effect in the Arab Winter. This is whereby, the people's of the Arab spring who are dissatisfied with the quality and pace of the outcomes of the revolution return to the streets and oust the governments that they put in place.
Democracy is a slow and arduous process that is often times punctuated with alternating seasons of calm and violence. America and France, which are considered as some of the foremost democracies in the world have also suffered periods of democratic winter. America suffered the civil war after gaining its independence while France suffered the Reign of Terror, in which 20,000-40,000 people were executed for 'counterrevolutionary' activities.
The question that therefore arises is whether the current actions of the people of Egypt are simply a speed-bump on the road to democracy, or a dangerous precedent that should be of concern to the world. Another pertinent question that needs to be addressed is whether the people in Tahrir square are a true representation of the entirety of the Egyptian population? and therefore are their calls for Morsi to step down legitimate?
As always, the Attache remains at his desk, watching and contemplating the seasons of democracy. Winter is coming......but is it here to stay?
Great piece!! I like the symbolism of winter coming.
ReplyDeleteTo be honest, I think Egeypt might really have its best days behind it, and if they do not do anything to curb the uprisings, then no government shall ever stand!
WOuld it be best to have no government?
Or should we hope for summer?
Any light at the end?
My opinion is that a DANGEROUS precedent is being set in Egypt. While we previously celebrated the actions of the citizens at Tahrir previously, now we must bear the burden of knowing that the world was not too opposed to their ranting at the time. A democratic process in its entirety is the only firm guarantee of a peaceful progressive state. My doubts are firm as to whether the opinion of all the Egyptians is currently represented by the ranting demonstrators. At this rate... WINTER IS COMING!!!
ReplyDeleteIt is theorised that the history of democracies is written in blood. perhaps winter is a natural part of acquiring democracy.
ReplyDelete@Debrah, i think government is essential (though you should have a look at the piece on the death of the nation state) and we should be patient and wait for either their policies to improve or for the elections to come..There is light at the end of the tunnel, though we might have to wipe away some blood to see it.
@Kibe, i think the precedent is indeed a dangerous one and is a cycle that Egypt must nip in the bud. I however disagree with the notion that democracy is the ONLY gurantee of a peaceful progressive state...it is simply one path among many that we can walk.
what is the definition of democracy then? is it having the right to demonstrate against an unpopular government and requesting for its removal or waiting out your governments time in power an removing them from power using the power of the vote?
ReplyDelete@james...thanks for the contribution. Democracy can also be considered to be the right to choose the chains that bind us, not freedom from chains. In a democratic state, we stay bound by these chains until we can choose the next set of chains in a democratic process...usually through the ballot. In democracy, there is the right to be heard and to protest, but the ouster of a democratically elected official through these means is outside the realm of democracy, isn't it?
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