Dr. Khalid Al-Shafi
The development index in three countries in the region has declined following the eruption of Arab Spring revolutions. Even before the revolts, the performance of the index was not much better. The decline was inevitable due to the overthrow of their despotic regimes.
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) says the economic situation in Egypt, Libya and Tunisia has worsened as poverty rates have increased. It has forecast that the gross domestic product (GDP) in these three counties during 2011-2015 will fall by more than $225 billion. This figure accounts for nearly 10 percent of the GDP of these three countries.
The deterioration these countries are undergoing is not just economic but also political, cultural, intellectual and educational. In the process, social values, too, have taken a blow.
The Arab Spring countries should learn from successful development experiences in Japan, China, India, and the Asian Tigers. These countries have achieved success drawing on the values of uniqueness, modernity and their customs and traditions.
Moreover, they have succeeded in establishing real democracy by focusing on the sustainable development of civil society institutions.
Perhaps the most pressing challenge facing the Arab spring countries is the resurgence of tyranny and monopolisation of power.
King Abdullah II of Jordan told the French magazine Le Nouvel Observateur that he was not concerned about the Muslim Brotherhood winning parliamentary elections in his country. He added that he was only deeply concerned about the possibility that pluralism and the transition of power would be undermined. He expressed fears that a certain political force may win elections and then change the rules of the game in its own favour. By doing so, the group would remain in power even after losing its popularity and legitimacy, the king said.
The worst scenario for the Arab world is ideological factions adopting the slogan of nationalism or exploiting religion to achieve their political goals.
Restructuring of nations is the ultimate objective of revolutions. To achieve this end, these countries need to make concerted efforts to draft new social contracts and tackle the issues of nationhood and citizenship against the backdrop of Arab culture.
A new sociopolitical approach is needed to end sectarianism, tribalism and religious divides.
These old fault lines should be bridged by a strong sense of citizenship, human rights, rule of law and the participation of all people in political life.
The development index in three countries in the region has declined following the eruption of Arab Spring revolutions. Even before the revolts, the performance of the index was not much better. The decline was inevitable due to the overthrow of their despotic regimes.
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) says the economic situation in Egypt, Libya and Tunisia has worsened as poverty rates have increased. It has forecast that the gross domestic product (GDP) in these three counties during 2011-2015 will fall by more than $225 billion. This figure accounts for nearly 10 percent of the GDP of these three countries.
The deterioration these countries are undergoing is not just economic but also political, cultural, intellectual and educational. In the process, social values, too, have taken a blow.
The Arab Spring countries should learn from successful development experiences in Japan, China, India, and the Asian Tigers. These countries have achieved success drawing on the values of uniqueness, modernity and their customs and traditions.
Moreover, they have succeeded in establishing real democracy by focusing on the sustainable development of civil society institutions.
Perhaps the most pressing challenge facing the Arab spring countries is the resurgence of tyranny and monopolisation of power.
King Abdullah II of Jordan told the French magazine Le Nouvel Observateur that he was not concerned about the Muslim Brotherhood winning parliamentary elections in his country. He added that he was only deeply concerned about the possibility that pluralism and the transition of power would be undermined. He expressed fears that a certain political force may win elections and then change the rules of the game in its own favour. By doing so, the group would remain in power even after losing its popularity and legitimacy, the king said.
The worst scenario for the Arab world is ideological factions adopting the slogan of nationalism or exploiting religion to achieve their political goals.
Restructuring of nations is the ultimate objective of revolutions. To achieve this end, these countries need to make concerted efforts to draft new social contracts and tackle the issues of nationhood and citizenship against the backdrop of Arab culture.
A new sociopolitical approach is needed to end sectarianism, tribalism and religious divides.
These old fault lines should be bridged by a strong sense of citizenship, human rights, rule of law and the participation of all people in political life.
