Democracy, the ME Revolution’s Main Demand

IRD: What effects do the structure of populations have on the political developments in the Arab world?

MS: It is very important that the population of the region is young. Throughout the Middle East there is a young population, in most cases making up two-thirds of the overall population. Using new technology is only a symbol of the importance of this aware, globalized, hard-working generation, and the minimum of economic, social, and cultural facilities. The fate of the nations sooner or later will be in hand of the youth whose voices can be heard from the Orient; in demographic terminology, "population structure is the nations’ destiny".

IRD: In your opinion, how are the grounds for transition to democracy provided in countries such as Tunisia and Egypt?

MS: Sociologically speaking, democracy has three components and its grounds must be provided in three contexts: the grounds for economic and social institutions as the core to the middle class and a civil society, the grounds for personality, i.e. raising people in families preferring independence, originality, and freedom to obedience, subjection to parents and tradition, and ultimately cultural background, i.e. language and symbols of seeking freedom and independence. If there is a shortage in one of these areas, achieving democracy will be more difficult. It can be claimed that in these countries, despite the desire and their leaders’ plans, all the three areas are provided, although preliminarily.

For the time being, the most important responsibility of the movements is guarding the victories so far achieved and preventing the return of reactionary forces to the scene. The most important way is to insist on democracy and transparent methods to form democratic governments in which the authorities regard themselves as the servants of people, not their masters.

IRD: If democracy is achieved in these countries, as Larry Diamond argues, are popular theories in political sociology, i.e. the opinions that consider the non-democratic culture of some of those communities as an obstacle in the path of democratization of the societies, not doubted?

MS: The theory of gradual spontaneous transition to democracy in communities not having experiences of democracy, supported by Diamond, is true, but sometimes facts surpass theories! Therefore, the theory must be coordinated with reality, not vice versa. The Middle East expected to be years and even decades away from democracy, as witnessed by crowded streets and squares full of people showing their dexterity to the master of powers with the empty hand. However, Mr. Diamond and his political followers in the Middle East worried about a sudden transition to democracy, but now should worry about the sudden return of autarchy.

However, the theory is true but the time scale should be specified. A movement is created, people take power form tyrants, but in shaping democracy, radicalism and adventurism should be avoided and required opportunities to mature democratic institutions, such as parties and safe elections, should be provided. Mr. ElBaradei’s proposal for a one-year deadline for elections is the sign of the intellectual maturity of Egyptians in attempting to achieve democracy gradually. Diamond’s recent articles, like those of fair-minded political theorists and observers and dealing with the new political map of the region, suggest the need to reconsider the issues.