Arab unrest: Winners and losers

Gerald · 02-28-11, 05:00 PM

The revolutionary storm has shaken the Middle East to its very foundation, and regardless of what happens next, the region's state system will never be the same, says Professor Fawaz A Gerges, director of the Middle East Centre at the London School of Economics.

The people's movements are not just calling for a tinkering of the system, but to restructure the entire authoritarian system along more pluralistic and socially just lines.

The winners are the people of the Middle East who have been politically oppressed for decades. Millions of voiceless Arabs and Muslims have regained their voice.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-12599515

Note: 28 February 2011 Last updated at 14:56 GMT

Skybird · 02-28-11, 05:20 PM

Let's wait and see.

That article sounds a bit early.

tater · 02-28-11, 05:41 PM

I'll believe "more pluralistic" when I see it, then see it survive some election cycles (peaceful changes of government are required proof of any democratic system).

Libya can go either way. Their economy is all oil. It will be a powerful incentive for someone else to come in and simply take the place of the current despot.

The level of insanity in belief in that part of the world makes me not hold out much hope for secular governments.

Jimbuna · 02-28-11, 07:54 PM

I'm thinking that what happens/if anything at all in Saudi Arabia will be key to how the Middle East region turns out.

Takeda Shingen · 02-28-11, 08:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jimbuna

I'm thinking that what happens/if anything at all in Saudi Arabia will be key to how the Middle East region turns out.

You might be right about that.

NeonSamurai · 02-28-11, 08:54 PM

Frankly my concern is that these countries will go the way that Iran did, and become more Muslim fundamentalist, which could potentially have some very dire consequences. Revolts and revolutions rarely seem to result in more liberal and secular societies, rather they tend to go extreme.

August · 02-28-11, 11:04 PM

I have hope. Communications is key. Contact with the outside world is so much more prevalent now than it was in 1979.

TheSatyr · 03-03-11, 01:27 AM

What worries me the most is that it is the secular Arab nations that seem to be in the most trouble.

I can't but help feeling that Iran is behind all of this one way or another.

Castout · 03-03-11, 01:40 AM

I think it's the Swedish who are behind all this. They want more Volvo sold so thus they need a new market soon. You'll see. I tell you it's the Swedish!!!

And it makes perfect sense since it doesn't!!

You have no idea how some people are benefiting from the perception of senseless and motiveless acts. I know that for certain.

Jimbuna · 03-04-11, 04:13 PM

When all this turmoil is over I guess we'll have a clearer picture of who is the winner and who is the loser.

02-28-11, 05:00 PM	#1
Gerald SUBSIM Newsman Join Date: May 2008 Location: Close to sea Posts: 24,254 Downloads: 553 Uploads: 0	Arab unrest: Winners and losers The revolutionary storm has shaken the Middle East to its very foundation, and regardless of what happens next, the region's state system will never be the same, says Professor Fawaz A Gerges, director of the Middle East Centre at the London School of Economics. The people's movements are not just calling for a tinkering of the system, but to restructure the entire authoritarian system along more pluralistic and socially just lines. The winners are the people of the Middle East who have been politically oppressed for decades. Millions of voiceless Arabs and Muslims have regained their voice. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-12599515 Note: 28 February 2011 Last updated at 14:56 GMT __________________ Nothing in life is to be feard,it is only to be understood. Marie Curie

02-28-11, 05:20 PM	#2
Skybird Soaring Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: the mental asylum named Germany Posts: 42,602 Downloads: 10 Uploads: 0	Let's wait and see. That article sounds a bit early. __________________ If you feel nuts, consult an expert.

02-28-11, 05:41 PM	#3
tater Navy Seal Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: New Mexico, USA Posts: 9,023 Downloads: 8 Uploads: 2	I'll believe "more pluralistic" when I see it, then see it survive some election cycles (peaceful changes of government are required proof of any democratic system). Libya can go either way. Their economy is all oil. It will be a powerful incentive for someone else to come in and simply take the place of the current despot. The level of insanity in belief in that part of the world makes me not hold out much hope for secular governments. __________________ "Government, even in its best state, is but a necessary evil; in its worst state, an intolerable one." — Thomas Paine

02-28-11, 07:54 PM	#4
Jimbuna Chief of the Boat Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: 250 metres below the surface Posts: 190,473 Downloads: 63 Uploads: 13	I'm thinking that what happens/if anything at all in Saudi Arabia will be key to how the Middle East region turns out. __________________ Wise men speak because they have something to say; Fools because they have to say something. Oh my God, not again!!

02-28-11, 08:54 PM	#6
NeonSamurai Ocean Warrior Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Socialist Republic of Kanadia Posts: 3,044 Downloads: 25 Uploads: 0	Frankly my concern is that these countries will go the way that Iran did, and become more Muslim fundamentalist, which could potentially have some very dire consequences. Revolts and revolutions rarely seem to result in more liberal and secular societies, rather they tend to go extreme. __________________ SH3 Newbie Guide Links and other helpfull stuff Last edited by NeonSamurai; 02-28-11 at 09:04 PM.

02-28-11, 11:04 PM	#7
August Wayfaring Stranger Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Massachusetts Posts: 23,197 Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	I have hope. Communications is key. Contact with the outside world is so much more prevalent now than it was in 1979. __________________ Flanked by life and the funeral pyre. Putting on a show for you to see.

03-03-11, 01:27 AM	#8
TheSatyr Captain Join Date: Apr 2002 Posts: 545 Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	What worries me the most is that it is the secular Arab nations that seem to be in the most trouble. I can't but help feeling that Iran is behind all of this one way or another.

03-03-11, 01:40 AM	#9
Castout Silent Hunter Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Jakarta Posts: 4,794 Downloads: 89 Uploads: 6	I think it's the Swedish who are behind all this. They want more Volvo sold so thus they need a new market soon. You'll see. I tell you it's the Swedish!!! And it makes perfect sense since it doesn't!! You have no idea how some people are benefiting from the perception of senseless and motiveless acts. I know that for certain. __________________ My blog: http://exposingsingapore.wordpress.com/

03-04-11, 04:13 PM	#10
Jimbuna Chief of the Boat Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: 250 metres below the surface Posts: 190,473 Downloads: 63 Uploads: 13	When all this turmoil is over I guess we'll have a clearer picture of who is the winner and who is the loser. __________________ Wise men speak because they have something to say; Fools because they have to say something. Oh my God, not again!!