Managing democratisation

By El-Sayed Eleiwa

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We live in a time of complex problems: the combined forces of globalisation, technological and social change and environmental disequilibrium ranged against us. And just as we thought we were coping, we discovered it was time to democratise. Democratisation has been the buzzword in this country and abroad for some time, and since the president took the initiative by suggesting an amendment of the country's Constitution, the wheels of change have been set in motion. But change is not going to be easy. Indeed, it may be traumatic.

One thing we must keep in mind is that the world's sole superpower may be trying to use democratisation for its own purposes, as it did so deftly in Ukraine. The last thing we want is a government beholden to outsiders for its accession to power. In Lebanon, there is a real possibility of something like that taking place.

I am not against democratisation in principle, but caution is a virtue. A process of destruction is likely to precede that of construction. Education, patriotic and social values and legal regulations may all be affected. Living standards may dip at one point. And corruption may increase rather than decrease if foreign influence was to grow in the country. Modernise we must, for we need better access to world markets and technology if we're to have a real shot at becoming economically competitive. But keep your eyes open for foreign intervention; for any sign of instability may be used by outsiders for their own purposes. Let's democratise sure, but be smart about it.

This week's Soapbox speaker is professor of political science at Helwan University.