Monthly Archive: May 2011

May
28
2011

Egyptians starting to see that there is more to revolution than mass protests

Calling the latest mass protest in Tahir Square the “second revolution” ( A ‘second’ revolution in Cairo. Los Angeles Times, May 28th 2011) shows that many of the leaders may have failed to grasp that there is more to revolution than holding occasional large protests.

And shouting slogans and issuing demands.

They achieved a major victory when Mubarak resigned back in February. But this victory may have come too easily.

They may not have had time to build a strong enough civil society to actually create a democracy.

The ultimate goal of a social movement is to create a healthy citizen-based democracy in which citizens are restored as the basic source of political legitimacy.

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May
28
2011

Egypt protesters gather for ‘second revolution’

Egypt protesters gather for ‘second revolution’.

May
15
2011

Escalating protests in face of repression is the right move for Syrian pro-democracy movement

Rather than shrinking in face of government repression, the Syrians have escalated their protests and they have spread across the country. To many people, this may seem like the wrong move.

Isn’t repression a sign that the protests aren’t working?

Actually, it is just the opposite.

Repression is a sign the the protests are a threat. And if they have the determination and courage to face the repression right now, they can break the will of the Assad government.

Authoritarian governments like the one in Syria base their means of control on their ability to control the population by fear. Fear of attacks by security forces, fear of prison, fear of being “disappeared” by these same forces.

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May
14
2011

Divide & Conquer in the Middle East

This morning, the LA Times had an article (After crushed protests, Bahrain is accused of increased oppression of Shiites) about the newest tactic being used to ruling party in Bahrain. After two months of violent repression, encouraged by their pals over in Saudi Arabia, they have shifted their strategy. Their supporters in the US and …

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