From Arab Democracy to Western Social Demands

IRD: The sound of democracy is heard from West to East. Previously this clamor was only heard in the Middle East and in Muslim countries, but now this movement has spread to the Green continent as well. The Arab spring took place after years of these countries being politically asleep, and it struck the West with awe. Now that these uprisings have spread to countries like Spain, the question is whether these movements are the continuation of those which began in the East, or if are they different in their nature.

Iranian Diplomacy discussed the structural differences between the movements in the West and the East with Dr. Pirouz Izadi.

IRD: Can we say that the popular uprisings in the West are inspired by those in the Arab world?

PI: The movements occurring in the Arab world were mostly focused on demanding democracy. Meanwhile, the movements in Europe are because of a series of financial problems and the economic crisis. It should be mentioned that these protests are mainly due to an increased government debt in these countries, and the pressure that the economic crisis is mounting on the people.

IRD: Can we therefore say that these movements have essential differences?

PI: We could say that Europeans are mostly concerned about social democracy, but the Arabs are mainly concerned about political democracy. The Europeans seek social democracy, which means that following the economic crisis people demand that governmental officials should act in a way that puts the least pressure on the masses, with most of the pressure put on the rich and the upper classes. In other words, if the government is facing a budget deficit it should be compensated by more taxes on the rich -- not from ordinary people or the working class.

The European and Arab countries are in two different stages. The Arabs also have social democratic demands which are over shadowed by their political demands. The Arabs believe that when democracy is applied in their countries, then economic conditions will improve as well. But the Europeans propose their demands at a different level.

IRD: Do you think that it is possible that popular demands in Europe could turn into a serious crisis?

PI: We are faced with a couple of diseases in Europe. The primary threat of these diseases is faced by the Euro. The situation is worse in countries like Greece, Ireland, Spain, and Portugal, in which the economic crisis, unemployment, and budget deficits are much higher compared to other European countries.

To save their economies, the IMF has allocated some funds to these countries, such as Greece, Ireland and Portugal. One of the solution economists propose in cases like this is lowering the value of the national currency of these countries. But since these countries share the Euro as their currency, this solution is not possible or applicable. That is, unless these countries leave the Euro Zone. The funds allocated to these countries are in order to save the Euro Zone, so that it is not weakened in case they leave.

IRD: Therefore this crisis is a temporary one, and will be solved with the improvement of the economy?

PI: We have to see if these countries are able to survive this crisis with the funds they receive. For example, Greece had to ask for another fund, which is very difficult as well. However, we should remember that the crisis is so deep in some of these countries that even these funds might not suffice; and some of these countries might be forced to leave the Euro Zone in the end.