Western 'democracy promoters' misunderstand the region, now citizens are making their own futures.
Larbi Sadiki
Al-Jazeera
"The citizens of Egypt and Tunisia have resoundingly and comprehensively spoken against authoritarianism. From the joint efforts of the youth, dissidents and ordinary people, a whole gamut of potentialities was unleashed.
One may also add this occurred to the surprise of the gurus of democratisation cocooned in their ivory towers. Notwithstanding this state of disregard, these women and men's unwavering energies for bottom-up democratic construction have proved their worth.
How can these two revolutions energise pan-Arab democratic learning?
The two revolutions in Egypt and Tunisia herald a new era of people’s democracy. This is the first time since the reforms introduced in both countries 150 years ago that a genuine opportunity for indigenous democratic construction and learning presents itself.
Egypt and Tunisia can lead the way to the inception of a creative democratic workshop of benefit to the wider Arab world. To this end, creative synergy, namely, in the form of a joint democratic revolutionary council, may be one way of seizing this uniquely democratic moment.....
Beyond Egypt and Tunisia
Two revolutions have already transformed the face of the Arab region. The prophets of the "New Middle East" wished to construct an order ripe for business communities at the expense of values of equality and self-determination, especially for the Palestinians.
Now, a new order is unfolding: the Egyptian and Tunisian revolutions are moments of sovereignty - Arab magna cartas written with blood, tears and courageous resistance against tyranny by Arab men and women.
Grassroots activists and movements in acts of cyber-sabotage aimed at organising and informing Arab citizenries were the key to unlocking the bolted doors of the seemingly boundless power of their states. Today the paralysing fear of the security apparatuses of the state has dissipated. A self-affirming faith in civic cooperation and unapologetic demonstrations of dissent has taken over.
What is certain is that Tahrir Square and Habib Bourguiba Avenue are not going away. The concerned Arab citizen in the role of the moral protester will time and time again take to the street to keep politicians honest and to unseat future tyrants.
This is the beauty of the sovereignty earned by Egyptians and Tunisians. They will involve an element of instability, and that is what democracy must always mean - renewal not routine. The defence of these revolutions may in the future require new mini-revolutions."
Larbi Sadiki
Al-Jazeera
"The citizens of Egypt and Tunisia have resoundingly and comprehensively spoken against authoritarianism. From the joint efforts of the youth, dissidents and ordinary people, a whole gamut of potentialities was unleashed.
One may also add this occurred to the surprise of the gurus of democratisation cocooned in their ivory towers. Notwithstanding this state of disregard, these women and men's unwavering energies for bottom-up democratic construction have proved their worth.
How can these two revolutions energise pan-Arab democratic learning?
The two revolutions in Egypt and Tunisia herald a new era of people’s democracy. This is the first time since the reforms introduced in both countries 150 years ago that a genuine opportunity for indigenous democratic construction and learning presents itself.
Egypt and Tunisia can lead the way to the inception of a creative democratic workshop of benefit to the wider Arab world. To this end, creative synergy, namely, in the form of a joint democratic revolutionary council, may be one way of seizing this uniquely democratic moment.....
Beyond Egypt and Tunisia
Two revolutions have already transformed the face of the Arab region. The prophets of the "New Middle East" wished to construct an order ripe for business communities at the expense of values of equality and self-determination, especially for the Palestinians.
Now, a new order is unfolding: the Egyptian and Tunisian revolutions are moments of sovereignty - Arab magna cartas written with blood, tears and courageous resistance against tyranny by Arab men and women.
Grassroots activists and movements in acts of cyber-sabotage aimed at organising and informing Arab citizenries were the key to unlocking the bolted doors of the seemingly boundless power of their states. Today the paralysing fear of the security apparatuses of the state has dissipated. A self-affirming faith in civic cooperation and unapologetic demonstrations of dissent has taken over.
What is certain is that Tahrir Square and Habib Bourguiba Avenue are not going away. The concerned Arab citizen in the role of the moral protester will time and time again take to the street to keep politicians honest and to unseat future tyrants.
This is the beauty of the sovereignty earned by Egyptians and Tunisians. They will involve an element of instability, and that is what democracy must always mean - renewal not routine. The defence of these revolutions may in the future require new mini-revolutions."
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