Tag Archive: From Dictatorship to Democracy

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
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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Feb
21
2011

Gene Sharp – Nonviolence Bible author – finally getting some recognition

I was very excited to see that one of my heroes, Professor Gene Sharp of the Albert Einstein Institution, is finally getting well-deserved national recognition. An article about Professor Sharp appeared in the New York Times on Wednesday, February 16th titled: “Shy U.S. Intellectual Created Playbook Used in a Revolution.” It even has a link to his manual for dismantling dictatorships

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Feb
19
2011

What Egypt Can Teach Us About The Power of Nonviolent Struggle

When Mubarak stepped down as president, the Egyptians and people around the world rejoiced in this victory of People Power. Tunisia began what has now spread to many other countries. But few of us understand how People Power works. We have been raised to believe that power “comes from the barrel

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