Dr. Khalid Al-Shafi
Why does democracy fail to find a footing in most Arab countries?
Most theories that explain this failure revolve around the nature of geopolitics, and the role of the Arab-Islamic political structure in confronting pluralism and the culture of diversity. The failure of democracy in Arab countries has also been attributed to the traditional system’s dependence on the family, tribe and sect.
In addition to the situation created by the rentier economy and the rentier state, a culture of consumption and petro-dollars collectively reflects the failure to find a fertile soil for democracy in most Arab countries. These things act to stonewall change from happening.
The role of political leadership, which played a significant role in aborting fledging democratic experiences, swallowing civil society and circumventing development experiences associated with citizenship, freedom and social justice is also to blame.
The financial and moral support provided by a Western super power to dictatorships and despotic regimes to maintain their interests in the region and confront alliances opposing their policies and interests also played a role in derailing efforts at change.
Obstacles to humble democratic experiences in the Arab world created a charged up environment of violence, conflict, and terrorism that stokes sectarianism, which in turn acted as a ruse for supporters of authoritarian regimes to claim that democracy can bring nothing but chaos and destruction.
Moreover, the supporters of authoritarian regimes gave people two choices — either accept religious extremism or accept tyranny and the vice-like grip of the security apparatus, which they claim, brings stability.
They show democracy as an empty ideal, and try to promote stability and security first.
This situation made western nations play a role in redrawing the map of the Arab region in a way that serves their interests — by intervening in the affairs of Arab countries directly or indirectly under the pretext of fighting terrorism, controlling internal conflicts, or preventing the eruption of civil wars between religions, sects and doctrines.
How can democracy succeed in the Arab world? Its success depends on consensus and partnership to build a country with rights, law and justice.
Iraqi researcher Fakher Jassem is of the view that democracy by national partnership based on the principle of national consensus is what suits Arab societies most. This model reduces the chances of some currents in the political movement to individually seize power, either by depending on the legitimacy of elections or violence.
Why does democracy fail to find a footing in most Arab countries?
Most theories that explain this failure revolve around the nature of geopolitics, and the role of the Arab-Islamic political structure in confronting pluralism and the culture of diversity. The failure of democracy in Arab countries has also been attributed to the traditional system’s dependence on the family, tribe and sect.
In addition to the situation created by the rentier economy and the rentier state, a culture of consumption and petro-dollars collectively reflects the failure to find a fertile soil for democracy in most Arab countries. These things act to stonewall change from happening.
The role of political leadership, which played a significant role in aborting fledging democratic experiences, swallowing civil society and circumventing development experiences associated with citizenship, freedom and social justice is also to blame.
The financial and moral support provided by a Western super power to dictatorships and despotic regimes to maintain their interests in the region and confront alliances opposing their policies and interests also played a role in derailing efforts at change.
Obstacles to humble democratic experiences in the Arab world created a charged up environment of violence, conflict, and terrorism that stokes sectarianism, which in turn acted as a ruse for supporters of authoritarian regimes to claim that democracy can bring nothing but chaos and destruction.
Moreover, the supporters of authoritarian regimes gave people two choices — either accept religious extremism or accept tyranny and the vice-like grip of the security apparatus, which they claim, brings stability.
They show democracy as an empty ideal, and try to promote stability and security first.
This situation made western nations play a role in redrawing the map of the Arab region in a way that serves their interests — by intervening in the affairs of Arab countries directly or indirectly under the pretext of fighting terrorism, controlling internal conflicts, or preventing the eruption of civil wars between religions, sects and doctrines.
How can democracy succeed in the Arab world? Its success depends on consensus and partnership to build a country with rights, law and justice.
Iraqi researcher Fakher Jassem is of the view that democracy by national partnership based on the principle of national consensus is what suits Arab societies most. This model reduces the chances of some currents in the political movement to individually seize power, either by depending on the legitimacy of elections or violence.
