Egypt and the enigma of democracy

Quote

“It has been said that democracy is the worst form of government except all those other forms that have been tried from time to time.”  Winston Churchill.


News
It took 18 days of mass street protests before Hosni Mubarak stepped down as President of Egypt in 2011, but just four days of similar protests this week led to the downfall of President Morsi.  Both illustrate that principle that ultimately no government can rule without the consent of the people.  But the puzzling question is why did the people of the Arab Spring, who fought hard for democracy two years ago, appear to throw it away by welcoming a military coup?

Democratic structures and procedures are like the visible part of an iceberg; one person one vote, term limits on a government, and free and open elections are some of the measurable elements of democracy, and essential to its success.

However, they must be underpinned by an invisible consensus of values, which are essentially relational, for democracy to thrive.  Every member of society must accept to be governed by people they may not have voted for, and to abide by laws they may disagree with.  This is especially challenging in countries with deep religious, ethnic or ideological divides as in much of the Middle East.

Events this week in Egypt show that democratic elections are valued to the extent they lead to a more free, open and prosperous society.  That is the goal the street protestors are seeking – and if, after a year of government by the Muslim Brotherhood, a military takeover looks more likely to move the country in that direction, then it is deemed acceptable.

The crucial challenge for Egypt in the coming months is to reconcile and then strengthen the bruised relationships on which the future of its fledgling democracy depends: between Muslim Brotherhood activists and supporters of opposition parties, between Coptic Christians and Muslims, between members of the security forces and ordinary Egyptians.

Only then can there be any lasting foundation for a government of the people, by the people, for the people.


Read on...
In the late 1990s a remarkable Christian initiative called the Reconciliation Walk sought to heal religious tensions in the Middle East going right back to the Crusades.  Read an interview with the walk’s leader Lynn Green here.

 
Walk the talk 
How well do you know individuals from a different, ethnic or religious group?  Why not take the initiative and do something to build a genuine relationship with such a person, ideally from the Middle East, and seek to understand their values and ideals?



The last word
From the Bible, Romans chapter 12, verses 17-18: ‘Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.’