Soapbox:

Acting alone

By Sameh Fawzi

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The opposition has to think in a different way. This is the first thing that came to mind when I learned about the 6 April nationwide strike called for by a newly established youth-based opposition group. Opposition parties decided not to participate, and the same protesting faces supported the strike. Some think that it is possible to replicate the model of political change in Eastern Europe, where people resorted to direct action to gain democracy, including strikes and massive demonstrations. But I think the situations are not alike.

Before going to street, it seems crucial to spend efforts and time to politically educate the people. Much of the failure of Kifaya is the lack of collective focus. Political parties prefer to act unilaterally, leaving no room for cooperation or joint commitment towards democracy. Building networks, and alliances are essential to any democratic breakthrough in the future. Indeed, democracy is not a result of the actions taken by politicians. It is a consequence of broad-based coalitions.

Until now, Egyptian political forces, except the Muslim Brotherhood, which has a different discipline, think that the work of politicians alone can bring democracy. This perception is wrong. Unless a great proportion of businesspersons, religious organisations, media outlets and civic forums, in addition to political forces, pursue a democratic agenda it becomes difficult to achieve democracy. In Egypt, the prospects of making such a broad alliance are bleak, since the business class, the Muslim and Christian clergy, and the media are mostly attached to -- or at least have an interest in -- the regime, and are not expected to sacrifice these interests for the sake of an "uncertain" democratic project.

Egyptian opposition groups don't believe in alliances. Unilateralism is a basic feature of Egyptian oppositional politics. For this reason, democracy is a far-fetched dream and there exists no challenge to spur the present regime.

This week's Soapbox speaker is a political analyst.