Democracy? in Egypt

Now that Hosni Mubarak has resigned as President of Egypt, many commenters are already talking about the possibility of elections in September. Every time a regime changes the same script seems to be run about returning to civilian rule and free and fair elections.

However, elections are not a sufficient and perhaps not even a necessary condition for Democracy. The rush for elections demonstrates an impatience quite at odds with the lassitude of efforts to push the previous regime towards Democracy. Quite evident, the hunger from “Western” governments is not for Democracy but for Stability. Fake elections are seen as an expedient towards returning to business as usual.

The most robust policy in the long term is not to seek Stability but to encourage Vibrancy. A central component must be to ensure a variety of voices have access to the media. Either state supported media must give equal opportunities to all parties or multiple competing private channels must be licensed. An independent judiciary must be capable of holding government accountable for corruption and for violation of human rights. Only with these elements can a sustained, and perhaps messy, national debate allow people to hear and decide the options for their future.

The recurring refrain is that elections will inevitably lead to fundamentalist Islamic rule. Chancellor Merkel heads the Christian Democratic Union; does that make Germany a Theocracy? The parties that contest a free and fair election must reflect the character and culture of the country in which it is held. An aversion to Islamic parties that lawfully compete in the electoral process is purely xenophobia.

In the end, Democracy must be tailored to each country; and only the citizens of that country, in a careful and negotiated process, can bring life to the aspirations for a freer and fairer country. Those who have already trod this path can offer advice about the pitfalls of this path, but Democracy can only be claimed by the courage, patience and wisdom of the people, Allah willing.