Since that now infamous suicide in political protest in late December 2010 a wave of demonstrations in the Arab world has led to revolution in Tunisia and Egypt; uprisings in Syria, Bahrain and Yemen; civil war in Libya and fears of ‘Arab –inspired’ violence by Palestinians on Israel. Sadly, countless lives have been lost. More will follow.
So what is at the heart of the unrest?
A popular yearning for democracy; improved representation in the leadership and decision- making processes of government and a share in their country’s wealth is commonly cited as causal. Ultimately though, people want an improved standard of living. The issue is more likely, therefore, to be socio-economic rather than an enforced change in political ideology i.e.: economic rather than political disenfranchisement.
These politically-contrived economic barriers imposed on the populace by government is a common thread in the Arab world. Even so, the impact of revolution is far-reaching. Quite distinct from the moral implications of violent protest are the structural deficiencies in leadership these countries now face. Although still in its democratic infancy there is little discernable economic improvement in Egypt. The same can be said for Tunisia. Concerns of a leadership void are real as the people battle their feudal differences. Only time will record the economic success of the regime changes rather than the short-lived political joy of victory in armed conflict.
No comments:
Post a Comment