Why are we suddenly politically active? Wednesday, 23 February 2011 01:11

Far away, in cold places the population does not ask for much except for opportunities to earn an honest living, health insurance, social security, access to bars stocked with alcohol, and adequate food supply. Mainly for those reasons, people stage protests, demonstrations, and strikes.

Meanwhile, a select few who reside in capitals and are composed of intellectuals are the only ones to take to the streets due to interests beyond their own country and object to its foreign policy. At the same time, we in the Arab world can find taxi drivers, café waiters, housewives, and members of the general public who are affected by and living through world events, particularly those occurring in the region surrounding them. Current events follow them throughout their day and are a familiar topic of conversation around which they debate, quarrel, shout, and swear under their breaths.

Everyone is politically aware and has mastered the skill of launching a series of witty jokes and comebacks at the speed of lightning. All are engaged in the escalating struggle and resistance across the border. The Arab world is a bloc of inflamed political ideologies and there is no difference between a simple man and a political analyst.

Looking at the lives of the average western citizens who are not interested in more than domestic issues, one will find that they have safeguards on their individual rights, anchored by legislation, various channels of expression, and freedom to elect opposition members. It is true that politics revolve around a quagmire of conflict, pressure, and games, but people are aware of their representative process and condone it as long as their demands are met; so ordinary people let political opponents play. However, if people were to feel that their earnings are threatened, then they would have a different stance, and political candidates are well aware of how to play their cards under those circumstances.

In the Arab world, we flock in every sense of the word toward politics, hanging on to every move because it vents the suffocation that is killing us. Not only do we excel at analysis, debate, and shouting matches, but while we are experts in politics, we are inept at organizing and laying foundations, rules, and regulations.

Egypt, even with its glorious, striking, ancient history is still on shaky ground. It has finally succeeded in claiming democracy but even now it is doubtful whether they have the ability to apply it under the legacy of accumulated corruption and cronyism. While Egypt possesses a renowned heritage, an immensely high population, has made strides in human development, and contains valuable cultural and intellectual capital, none of those characteristics are rooted in the legislative base of the people. Parasites attack the seeds of reform as soon as they are planted in the toxic soil.

Arabs are politically aware. Their blood bursts with heat and revolutionary ideals but like lightening and thunder, they quickly fades away and their rumbles softly die down. There are things that the Arab world is lacking - like the culture to transform loud talk from a vacuum to a fully operational system.

Arabs can’t wait around for the ruling classes to take on this duty of reform because it is not their role - but their graveyard. After the elite has filled up their treasure chests with enormous wealth and separated themselves from the people with living fences, it is the people’s duty to take what is theirs. It is the people’s role and will not be achieved unless they overcome their problems. Frustration and fear are not the only obstacles they face. There are internal divisions, negativity, and hate. Battles are turned upside down, meaning that people are hostile towards their colleagues, not the managers creating the problems, eating one another alive. If this is how people are then this is how they will remain, decomposing and self-destructing.

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