by Mohammed Osman
There is no real democracy in any of the Arab states, whether they are republican, monarchies or family or tribal regimes, as is the case with the Gulf countries. Since the independence and establishment of Arab states, democracy has been addressed in theoretical terms and loose slogans rather than in practical ways. It is a threadbare dress used by rulers to get public support, manoeuvre and deceive their people, and ensure the continuity of their regimes, argues Dr Khalid Al Jaber in his new book, Arabic Tweets.
The author emphasises that it is a mistake to think that freedom in the developed countries, especially in Europe, was achieved overnight or received on a gold platter due to the goodwill of kings, princes, commanders or rulers. People paid a heavy price to get freedom, because justice and authoritarianism cannot exist together.
Anyone who dared to express thoughts inconsistent with the ideas of the church or the feudal kings was accused of heresy or sacrilege and persecuted. Leading thinkers, philosophers and intellectuals spent their lives in exile or lived as fugitives in various European countries, and wrote books and articles under pseudonyms or anonymously to avoid torture and capital punishment.
It was the French Enlightenment writer, historian, and philosopher Voltaire who laid the foundation for the struggle for freedom of expression, freedom of religion, and human rights. Voltaire stood firmly against oppression and extremism, and it was he who said, “I may disagree with what you have to say, but I shall defend to the death your right to say it.”
Regarding the implications of the Arab Spring revolutions, the author cites the English proverb, ‘One swallow does not a summer make’, implying that the Arab uprisings did not bring ideal democracy as many had hoped.
But they brought hope for change, even though the Arab uprisings stumbled and were confronted by counter-revolutions.
The author says that the region is experiencing political birth pangs, wherein major internal and external changes are reshaping state and social institutions.
The author also dwells on the Turkish and Iranian experiences. People in the Arab world are divided over the Iranian experience, with one group believing that the Iranian experience is a pure Islamic experience, and they compare the country to a Caliphate.
The second group is against clerical rule, which it considers regressive and a form of tyranny.
On the other hand, the Turkish experience seems to be pro-active. Turkey has separated political, legislative and judicial powers, has a relatively free press and gives people the right to peaceful protest.
Regarding the major challenges facing the GCC states, the author says that there is a general feeling that the Gulf states are avoiding taking the decisions required by the current situation in the region. They are avoiding starting the process of change before it is imposed on them, because it is only a matter of time before it happens. Therefore it is imperative to launch a political process that will pave the way to democracy, establish rule of law, and ensure the protection of human rights and the rights of minorities.
Dr Jaber is the Editor-in-Chief of The Peninsula newspaper and a professor of political communication in the Gulf Studies programme in Qatar University.
The 444-page book, published by Dar Al Sharq, includes a number of studies and articles addressing problems related to development, democracy, human rights and freedom in the GCC states and the Arab world.
In his introduction to the book, Dr Abdullah Ba Abboud, Director of Gulf Studies Centre in Qatar University, says that the book adds value to our knowledge and understanding of the problems of this region.
In line with Dr Jaber’s belief in the UN initiative on freedom and easy access to information, the book’s content will be available to readers on the Google Book website for free.The Peninsula
