Democracy in the Arab World - Essay Example

Democracy in the Arab World Introduction Globalization through advancement in technology, increase in individual investors, and the easy access to global information has promoted economic, social, cultural, ecological, legal, and political integration among developing and developed economies as implied by (Leon, 2008, p.227). This has meant every business organization, country or economy that want to diversify, develop and increase its superiority and dominance and market share, has no option but to accommodate and participate in free-market systems initiated by globalization. These free-market systems associated with reduced restrictions and market barriers have created a modern-type of capitalism, where organizations, economies or countries that fails to accommodate it, are failing and being left, behind in terms of economic development, political liberation, social and cultural growth and the living standards of its people as suggested by (Leon, 2008, p.227). Whether globalization brings or erodes democracy in the Middle East is debatable. To create democracy in the Middle East is easier, said than done and it depends on who the agents of change are. The Middle East has been accused of muzzling the freedom of expression and dragging implementation of the democratic rule of law. These sentiments are debatable depending on who is looking at it. An observer outside the Middle East has no basis to judge what they do not know while at the same time, just because the Middle East has their set way of doing things, it does not mean it is the best or effective way. This report will explicitly analyze globalization in creating democracy in the Arab world. Globalization in creating democracy in the Arab World The Middle East or the Arab world is immersed in turbulent economic, military, cultural, religious, and political environments as illustrated by the ethnic cleansing and clashes in Iraq, unresolved Palestine-Israeli disagreements, Iran’s nuclear programs, and raising of terrorist groups such as Al Qaeda whose origins are in the Middle East (Amineh, 2007, p.197). In addition, there is enhanced Islamist and political extremism, increased insecurity in Pakistan and Afghanistan, internal conflicts in countries such as Yemen, Bahrain, and Saudi Arabia among others. Middle Eastern governments have been under pressure to integrate globalization (Leon, 2008, p. 239). This is through democratization of information such fair media coverage by stations such as the Al Jazeera TV that highlights the successes and failures of governments. The channel describes the patterns of consumption, social security and advancement of technology illustrated by rapid growth of social cites such as Tweeter and Face book and other internet systems among the young populations, has put more strain on the In the year 2011, the power of globalization characterized by the power of the internet and the media has contributed to what is referred as the revolution in the Arab world with ousting of Tunisian President, Ben Ali who had ruled for more than three decades. In addition, Egyptian President, Hussein Mubarak who had ruled for more than twenty years, and the uprising in Libya to force out its president Gaddafi and the increasing uprisings in Jordan, Yemen, Bahrain, Syria among others by the working and common people. What is common among these countries are the military or the authoritative rule used and lack of transparency, accountability, fair distribution of power as stated by (Leon, 2008, p. 240). However, it is important to mention than technology alone, as an element of globalization cannot bring about democracy for Arabic world and neither can an outsider impose democracy. Instead, the people drive democracy, by the people, for the people and to the people who want to acquire freedom to assemble, liberty from oppression, enhance their human dignity and to gain freedom of expression. Democracy for the Arab world cannot be created through pressure from foreign policies and international economic sanctions. It will come from the people living in the Arab world, deciding that enough is enough and thus, mobilize forces and power to topple down political, social, cultural, and economic structures and systems that isolate the Arab economies from the rest of the world (Franzblau, 2009, p.75). In addition, doing away with systems and structures that oppress the common person and those that muzzle the empowerment and voices of the weak, the poor and majority of the Arabic people by safeguarding the interests of a few. The ruling governments in Arab nations need to be in touch with the people, listen to them, understand that economic modernization is the way to increase sustainability, develop, and implement policies and laws that uphold democracy and eradicate corruption and oppression of the people. This means equal distribution of wealth, fostering the right for both men and women to vote and vie for political seats and equal employment opportunities as suggested by (Leon, 2008, p. 240). Moreover, access to quality healthcare by all, equal opportunities, and access to quality and modern education for the youth in a bid to improve the standards of living and enhance financial, economic, political, social, and cultural growth (Moore, 2009, p.xxxi). Meaning attached to globalization needs to change since globalization has varied meanings to different individuals. For the Arab World, globalization is a means of eroding one’s religious, political, and cultural identity, which is particularly important for them (Amineh, 2007, p.192). This view of globalization defines it as modern imperialism coated with economic and social cultural integration. The Arab world see globalization as a propaganda used by Western nations to impose ideals, beliefs, customs and principles in a bid to enslave and enchain others in money-oriented and technological lifestyles (Leon, 2008, p. 243).. However, the Arab world are tempted to join the wind of globalization as globalization as seen in Western nations is characterized by improved living standards, increased market shares, enhanced democracy for the people and increased better chances in business, partnerships, employment and in education. Globalization has the power to reinforce the role of the state in economic co-ordination and management and enhance practice of politics and at the same time, globalization can take the power of the state and practice of politics in a bid to eradicate economic, political, social, and cultural barriers that hinder global integration (Leon, 2008, p.236). Therefore, using globalization to initiate democracy in Arab world requires that Arab world do not lose face or erode their cultural and social identities and instead enhance their economic and political democracy without necessarily compromising their ideals and principles (Plattner & Smolar, 2000, p.25). When establishing democracy for Arab worlds, it should be noted that it is not merely about holding fair elections, but establishing effective policies and ensuring that those voted or elected into power obey the rule of law (Franzblau, 2009, p.120). In addition, they become empathetic of the suffering of the people and are ready to amend constitutional systems and develop quality and objective institutions to generate fairness in distribution of power, wealth, knowledge, and human dignity. Democracy through globalization in the Arab world can only occur by establishing governments with political and leadership structures that are aligned to the values and ideals of the people they ought to lead (Leon, 2008, p. 243). This is to safeguard against dissonance of ideals from varying cultures such as crashes between Western cultures and Arabic cultures. The use of globalization to create democracy in Arabic world cannot be, imposed on them (Amineh, 2007, p.200) and instead, the Arab people need to want it bad enough to formulate and implement change and reform in their regulatory, legislative, security, political, executive and judicial institutions as implied by (Plattner & Smolar, 2000). Furthermore, altering institutional systems on property rights, economic stability, social security, and institutions for conflict resolutions to enhance public legitimacy, support from the people, sustaining the rule of law and democracy for all. This is significant because as (Leon, 2008, p. 244) states, there are no two current democracies that have struggled between parallel forces over similar challenges to have comparable or equal institutional results. This means that although the western democracy would have worked effectively for the western institutions, the chances that the institutional outcomes will be similar in institutions in the Arab world are non-existent. Arab world can embrace globalization as a means to spread their fundamentalism where people in Arabic states can utilize Western ideals to free the weak from oppressive and autocratic rulers and use elements of globalization such as technology and the media, to help propagate their ideals, religious views, and ideologies to the other parts of the world. Dissecting democracy is particularly essential in creating democracy in the Middle East since such countries have different political ideologies, varying economic growth from the western states and have deep held social and cultural ideals and values which means that the types of democracies suitable for western nations is not necessarily suitable for Arab countries. Since majority of the Arab countries have not yet began or realize full democracy, establishing and consolidating democracy will involve improving the rates of participation by the electorate without looking at their traditions, social classes, religious beliefs, social and economic status and alleviating the rifts and gaps caused by discriminatory practices (Franzblau, 2009, p.29). In addition, replacing the gaps with institutional alternatives, that enhances proportionality instead of fostering the rule of majority, which will help in assuaging both minority and majority groups (Amineh, 2007, p.200). The political and economic elites in the Arab world have the responsibility of developing and establishing institutional choices that not only capitalize on free markets and systems amendments as elements of globalization in a bid to increase the competitiveness of their countries, but also those that foster growth of alliances among Arab and other global economies. There is need for the political elites to implement institutional choices that are devoid of controversial western ideologies such as ‘majority wins’ and ‘every one for himself and God for us all’ type of outlooks (Plattner & Smolar, 2000, p.23). There should be enough room for dialogue for those in power and the ordinary Arab local. This will create effective and productive democracy that is embraced by all and generates no animosity among varied cultures. Conclusion Globalization is a phenomenon that has caught up in the 21st century that has altered the way businesses around the globe are transacted, the way people interact and work and it has influenced flow and movement of information, capital, people, goods and services. Different people and cultures define globalization divergently. In the Arab world, globalization is closely linked to western cultures and therefore, it is seen as propaganda used by Western nations to impose ideals, beliefs, customs, and principles in a bid to enslave and enchain others in money-oriented and technological lifestyles. However, the Arab world are tempted to join the wind of globalization as globalization as seen in Western nations is characterized by improved living standards, increased market shares, enhanced democracy for the people and increased better chances in business, partnerships, employment and in education. The best way to create democracy in Arab world is taking the best of globalization such as institutional changes that fosters cohesiveness and respect for human rights and discards globalization concepts that spread controversy. Democracy can only be realized when implemented by the people in the Middle Eastern nations and not from imposition from outside. References Amineh, Mehdi. The Greater Middle East in global politics: social science perspectives on the changing geography of the world politics. Riyadh: BRILL, 2007. Franzblau, Sean. Globalization, Democracy, and the Middle East. London: VDM Verlag, 2009. Leon, Ernesto. The future of globalization: explorations in light of recent turbulence. London: Routledge, 2008. Moore, Mike. Saving Globalization: Why Globalization and Democracy Offer the Best Hope for Progress, Peace and Development. London: John Wiley and Sons, 2009. Plattner, Marc, and Smolar, Aleksander. Globalization, power, and democracy. Sidney: JHU Press, 2000. Wiarda, Howard. Globalization: universal trends, regional implications. Singapore: UPNE, 2007. Read More