EGYPTIAN ARMY RETAKES THE CHARGE.
khurshidalam44@hotmail.com
The short Arab spring ended by retaking the control of the country by Egyptian. It was understood that it will not be possible for the army to swallow this bitter sip so easily and give up, not only the political power but the huge chunk of the economic share they own in national economy. There was a huge vacuum of political leadership and organisational skill since 1952, to be filled by the fledgling political parties. Though it hurts to look at the double standard of the USA but it is matter of happiness that Egyptian learnt how to break the chain of fear. Fear is the enemy of mental evolution and maturity of the thinking process. Fear compels the individual to go in self isolation amongst the ocean of other individuals. It makes even the dreams dreadful that every one even not to dream.
It will provide an opportunity to Egyptian people to look in to their weaknesses and flaws in their handling of the situation. They must have realised that decades old stillness and national inertia needed national approach and tactful dealing to dismantle the rusted machinery of the state. One party rule concept was basically a flawed concept in such a situation. Without a mature political culture to attempt a single party rule was a political suicide. Any how such failures strengthen the will and resilience. That's how one learns from own mistakes, in turn it provides determination and strength.
Army is the enemy of any process, that stimulates awareness and discussion. Upton Sinclair once said quite rightly, "It is difficult to get a man to understand something, when his salary depends upon his not understanding it". Armed forces are trained and nurtured this way i.e. Not to understand peace, compassion and solving problems by dialogue. They always want to be on the offensive in the dark and retreat in the light. Awareness and flow of information is a source of light that guides the nations in the dark. It took centuries for the established democracies to harness this rabid elephant. Unfortunately those countries are now in the forefront to support the military juntas and despots. It is in their national interest to deal with individuals rather than institutions. It is a tragedy of humanity that self interest has triumphed over global harmony.
Unfortunately all third world countries but in particular the Muslim countries have always been ruled by despots and the enemies of free thinking. They are the cronies of the imperialist and have their unwavering support, in return of non questionable loyalty. The Arab uprising was moulded differently in different countries as it suited their interests. But I believe that it will be better for Egyptian to revisit their strategies and re read them selves, first how to democratise their own mental make up and then to implement nationally. The nature of struggle varies from country to country according to the objective conditions. Self reading and field work is important so to realise that the public is not ready to accept another despot in civilian clothes or a dogma to be imposed on them. This present state is the result of dogmatic policies of Mr. Morsi. The political parties must be intrinsically democratic. Only the believer of collective leadership can triumph. Transparency and accountability is an integral part to popular support. To me it looks that Egyptian and Pakistani army will fight till last before giving up. They have a lot at stake, a chunk of national economies which, they own. A rough estimate is above forty five percent. A commentator commented once the military offered least resistance in initial stages, they did not want to kill their own customers, it carries sense. In this hidden economy the foot soldier have no share except that their pension is three time more of their civilian counterparts.
Any where, where the public is less literate and national awareness is at lower ebb the army will be the strongest arm of vested interest, to crush any threat to its authority. It needs a lot of spade work and awareness of the public to replace this band of gangsters. Stronger countries often don't shy away from state terrorism with a nicely worded pretext, especially if dealing with weaker countries.
The army derives its strength from illiterate and ignorant masses, failure of civilian leadership to establish institutions or failure to deliver to the masses or intrinsic weakness of the rulers to involve army to strengthen themselves. The three reasons are more applicable in the case of Pakistan and Nigeria. The incapable and corrupt civilians paves the way for army to assert itself. But wherever the army is in politics it looses its professionalism. It is abundantly clear in the case of Egypt, Nigeria and Pakistan. For Egyptian masses it was the first time to throw away the yoke of dictatorship. They had no previous experience of civilian government.
Since the world has become unipolar the international gangsterism and bloodshed has tremendously increased in the name of democracy and international peace. People have now started thinking of the revival of counter devil. Bipolar world was a protective shield for the weaker. During my forty years stay in UK I have not seen presence of military personnels in public places except once at Heathrow air port during the height of terrorism. True and undiluted democracy is no where including Britain. I have seen their army in action in Northern Ireland. Even the right of veto power has made UNO irrelevant and un democratic.
Whether it is Egypt, Pakistan or Nigeria it needs time to do field work before we confront the authority of army. In Pakistan army is virtually in power. The civilian government is a sort of shadow cabinet with no right to question the real authority. The recent example is the attack on the press freedom. They made the press rub their nose against the ground but still not satisfied. It is unfortunate that the torch bearer of the bigger and established democracies are supporting the same oppressive institution. The reason US is hated universally by public and loved by the governments, that they always invest in the armies not in the public. It is much convenient to deal with individuals.
I salute the public of Egypt. The roots of the the monster are too deep in Egyptian society. At least they have triumphed over the fear to confront the invincible. They lost to them as the alternative was disappointing. I am sure next time they will look after their weak points.
At the same time I hope Pakistani politicians will learn from it. The struggle is uphill because the politicians are not the real representative of the public. They represent the vested interest. Though living in one country but they are miles away from the public. They have no clue of the public miseries. So have no solution for their problems. Neither they know hunger nor the suffering to of those who have no shelter. It is natural that the vested interest always compromise with stronger force when it comes to choose among weak, meek and the mightier. It will be insanity to expect them to do otherwise. Unless a leadership comes from the roots instead from the heavens I am a bit pessimist of good outcome. In most of these societies 90 percent of the population is virtually disfranchised. The very election is between two camps of rivals to capture powers for their vested interest and the victorious are the one who has the backing of the establishment and can spend in millions to exploit poverty and buy the votes. The ninety percent are born to be vote sellers. Election is basically a national auction where the bidders bid. It is never a wasted money, spend in millions to day and get in billion tomorrow.
Least could be expected from this specie and the process that it will prepare a womb for the growth of a genuine democracy and a common man will ever enter the house of power. But an on going movement in the public is must to educate the masses and create the desire of self participation.
Tomorrow does not hold a ray of hope in my view because of our education system. A class based system where quality has been named a higher score. And score is on sale which is beyond the reach of a common citizen. Unless this vicious circle is broken nothing tangible can be achieved. But still I believe in national resolve. History has proved that national resolve is never defeated. If every one of us contribute to the society and forget about completion of the process to reap the harvest.
1st June 2014. London.
khurshidalam44@hotmail.com
The short Arab spring ended by retaking the control of the country by Egyptian. It was understood that it will not be possible for the army to swallow this bitter sip so easily and give up, not only the political power but the huge chunk of the economic share they own in national economy. There was a huge vacuum of political leadership and organisational skill since 1952, to be filled by the fledgling political parties. Though it hurts to look at the double standard of the USA but it is matter of happiness that Egyptian learnt how to break the chain of fear. Fear is the enemy of mental evolution and maturity of the thinking process. Fear compels the individual to go in self isolation amongst the ocean of other individuals. It makes even the dreams dreadful that every one even not to dream.
It will provide an opportunity to Egyptian people to look in to their weaknesses and flaws in their handling of the situation. They must have realised that decades old stillness and national inertia needed national approach and tactful dealing to dismantle the rusted machinery of the state. One party rule concept was basically a flawed concept in such a situation. Without a mature political culture to attempt a single party rule was a political suicide. Any how such failures strengthen the will and resilience. That's how one learns from own mistakes, in turn it provides determination and strength.
Army is the enemy of any process, that stimulates awareness and discussion. Upton Sinclair once said quite rightly, "It is difficult to get a man to understand something, when his salary depends upon his not understanding it". Armed forces are trained and nurtured this way i.e. Not to understand peace, compassion and solving problems by dialogue. They always want to be on the offensive in the dark and retreat in the light. Awareness and flow of information is a source of light that guides the nations in the dark. It took centuries for the established democracies to harness this rabid elephant. Unfortunately those countries are now in the forefront to support the military juntas and despots. It is in their national interest to deal with individuals rather than institutions. It is a tragedy of humanity that self interest has triumphed over global harmony.
Unfortunately all third world countries but in particular the Muslim countries have always been ruled by despots and the enemies of free thinking. They are the cronies of the imperialist and have their unwavering support, in return of non questionable loyalty. The Arab uprising was moulded differently in different countries as it suited their interests. But I believe that it will be better for Egyptian to revisit their strategies and re read them selves, first how to democratise their own mental make up and then to implement nationally. The nature of struggle varies from country to country according to the objective conditions. Self reading and field work is important so to realise that the public is not ready to accept another despot in civilian clothes or a dogma to be imposed on them. This present state is the result of dogmatic policies of Mr. Morsi. The political parties must be intrinsically democratic. Only the believer of collective leadership can triumph. Transparency and accountability is an integral part to popular support. To me it looks that Egyptian and Pakistani army will fight till last before giving up. They have a lot at stake, a chunk of national economies which, they own. A rough estimate is above forty five percent. A commentator commented once the military offered least resistance in initial stages, they did not want to kill their own customers, it carries sense. In this hidden economy the foot soldier have no share except that their pension is three time more of their civilian counterparts.
Any where, where the public is less literate and national awareness is at lower ebb the army will be the strongest arm of vested interest, to crush any threat to its authority. It needs a lot of spade work and awareness of the public to replace this band of gangsters. Stronger countries often don't shy away from state terrorism with a nicely worded pretext, especially if dealing with weaker countries.
The army derives its strength from illiterate and ignorant masses, failure of civilian leadership to establish institutions or failure to deliver to the masses or intrinsic weakness of the rulers to involve army to strengthen themselves. The three reasons are more applicable in the case of Pakistan and Nigeria. The incapable and corrupt civilians paves the way for army to assert itself. But wherever the army is in politics it looses its professionalism. It is abundantly clear in the case of Egypt, Nigeria and Pakistan. For Egyptian masses it was the first time to throw away the yoke of dictatorship. They had no previous experience of civilian government.
Since the world has become unipolar the international gangsterism and bloodshed has tremendously increased in the name of democracy and international peace. People have now started thinking of the revival of counter devil. Bipolar world was a protective shield for the weaker. During my forty years stay in UK I have not seen presence of military personnels in public places except once at Heathrow air port during the height of terrorism. True and undiluted democracy is no where including Britain. I have seen their army in action in Northern Ireland. Even the right of veto power has made UNO irrelevant and un democratic.
Whether it is Egypt, Pakistan or Nigeria it needs time to do field work before we confront the authority of army. In Pakistan army is virtually in power. The civilian government is a sort of shadow cabinet with no right to question the real authority. The recent example is the attack on the press freedom. They made the press rub their nose against the ground but still not satisfied. It is unfortunate that the torch bearer of the bigger and established democracies are supporting the same oppressive institution. The reason US is hated universally by public and loved by the governments, that they always invest in the armies not in the public. It is much convenient to deal with individuals.
I salute the public of Egypt. The roots of the the monster are too deep in Egyptian society. At least they have triumphed over the fear to confront the invincible. They lost to them as the alternative was disappointing. I am sure next time they will look after their weak points.
At the same time I hope Pakistani politicians will learn from it. The struggle is uphill because the politicians are not the real representative of the public. They represent the vested interest. Though living in one country but they are miles away from the public. They have no clue of the public miseries. So have no solution for their problems. Neither they know hunger nor the suffering to of those who have no shelter. It is natural that the vested interest always compromise with stronger force when it comes to choose among weak, meek and the mightier. It will be insanity to expect them to do otherwise. Unless a leadership comes from the roots instead from the heavens I am a bit pessimist of good outcome. In most of these societies 90 percent of the population is virtually disfranchised. The very election is between two camps of rivals to capture powers for their vested interest and the victorious are the one who has the backing of the establishment and can spend in millions to exploit poverty and buy the votes. The ninety percent are born to be vote sellers. Election is basically a national auction where the bidders bid. It is never a wasted money, spend in millions to day and get in billion tomorrow.
Least could be expected from this specie and the process that it will prepare a womb for the growth of a genuine democracy and a common man will ever enter the house of power. But an on going movement in the public is must to educate the masses and create the desire of self participation.
Tomorrow does not hold a ray of hope in my view because of our education system. A class based system where quality has been named a higher score. And score is on sale which is beyond the reach of a common citizen. Unless this vicious circle is broken nothing tangible can be achieved. But still I believe in national resolve. History has proved that national resolve is never defeated. If every one of us contribute to the society and forget about completion of the process to reap the harvest.
1st June 2014. London.
