BS: The Arab Revolution

Subject: RE: BS: The Arab Revolution
From: EBarnacle
Date: 23 May 11 - 04:52 PM

The June, 2011, issue of The Atlantic has a related article discussing the who, what, where, of the Islamic Spring. I believe it is accessible on line.

Subject: RE: BS: The Arab Revolution
From: Goose Gander
Date: 23 May 11 - 03:05 PM

Very interesting, thank you for posting this interview.

Subject: RE: BS: The Arab Revolution
From: GUEST,albert
Date: 22 May 11 - 04:51 PM

The road to freedom for the Palestinian people lies through Cairo and already we are seeing the political landscape in Israel shift as a result of the upheavals in Egypt and the Arab Spring.
Albert

Subject: RE: BS: The Arab Revolution
From: gnu
Date: 22 May 11 - 03:59 PM

Excellent posts. But sad indeed that a democratic and free society for all is still so far off, even in the USA. Imagine how long it will be to come in the East if it is still so far away in the USA.

And, no, I don't wanna argue or cajole about the fact that it could be possible now in the USA if "everyone became involved and voted or protested or whatever"... it's about rich and poor.. the rich have the money and therefore they have the poor. Star Trek is a looooong way in the future, if ever.

Subject: RE: BS: The Arab Revolution
From: Stringsinger
Date: 22 May 11 - 03:20 PM

Right Q. Most of what is hampering the equality of women has to do with archaic views based on religious beliefs. The E.R.A. is long overdue in the Constitution because equal rights for women even in the US is threatened by patriarchal religious and political figures
who insist on the right to dictate what a woman does with her body.

True democracy needs to reach the US but theocracy stands in the way even here.
This is why it will be impossible for the US to act in an objective manner in the Middle East in any interventionist way. Without equality for the sexes, there can never be democracy.
Many women are walking about in the US today with metaphorical veils.

Subject: RE: BS: The Arab Revolution
From: Q (Frank Staplin)
Date: 22 May 11 - 01:43 PM

Todd makes the point that democratic rule may be a long time in coming. The military, and extremes of Muslim theocracy and law, are valid obstacles to any rapid change, as stringsinger says.
Turkey, the most moderate of states with a majority Muslim population, still has not attained the level of western European democracies.
We are witnessing a beginning, but a transition to democracy, and equality of the sexes, will not occur anytime soon.

Subject: RE: BS: The Arab Revolution
From: Stringsinger
Date: 22 May 11 - 12:32 PM

Salient points: "Todd: Mainly on three factors: the rapid increase in literacy, particularly among women, a falling birthrate and a significant decline in the widespread custom of endogamy, or marriage between first cousins. This shows that the Arab societies were on a path toward cultural and mental modernization, in the course of which the individual becomes much more important as an autonomous entity."

He is wrong in my estimation about the role of religion here. Women's headscarves are still prevalent and the biggest danger to Egyptian democracy is the military which is falling back on Islamic customs investigating young women for their virginity. The military is by definition an authoritarian organization antithetical to operative democracy. They are driven by custom.

In order for democracy to take root, the interpretations of Sharia Law will have to be addressed. When women are equal, then things will change.

Subject: BS: The Arab Revolution
From: GUEST,number 6
Date: 21 May 11 - 07:30 PM

If anyone is interested ... the following link is an interview from Spiegel with French social scientist Emmanuel Todd who provides some insight and valid thoughts on the current Arab Revolution.

Just thought I'd share it.

A Look at the Root Causes of the Arab Revolution

biLL