To Topple a Giant-Hosni Mubarak
Over an eighteen-day period, starting in late January and ending on February 11th, 2011, the world watched as the Egyptian people wrote the manual on “How to Topple a Dictator.” Their methodology was perfect and efficient. Of course, their inspiration came from Tunisia where the people there were even more ruthless and successful, although their task was not as great as that in Egypt.
It all goes to prove once again that every great change starts with the power of one. On a day in Tunisia the police took away a young man’s food items that he was trying to sell. With that he became so despondent that he decided that he might just as well kill himself, and this he did by setting fire to himself. Those flames translated into the fire of discontent with the government and its leader who had ruled comfortably for 23 years. Within a week he and his family were fleeing for their lives.
Meanwhile, the people in Egypt took note and decided that what they had seen was a very good idea indeed. What the world has witnessed in both situations is nothing less than a sea change in the Arab world, and quite possibly in the Western world as well. People power, when properly harnessed can be awesome.
Egypt, a land of Pharaohs, Mummies, Great Pyramids, and The Sphinx has always been central to the rest of the world. The Egyptians have given so much learning to the world, and much mystery as well. It should not be too surprising that this most populist country of the Arabic world would lead the way in effecting such extraordinary change. Arab dictators and kings are now on notice that life and power can never be taken for granted.
Politics in Egypt has moved slowly and along the path of Dynasties. For Hosni Mubarak, who ruled for 30 years, this would have been an expected length of time to rule. I feel certain that he was intending to rule until the day he died. After all, The Pharaoh Ramesses II ruled for 67 years.
However, one thing is becoming clear in politics, and it is this: The patience of the people will allow for a maximum period of leadership of 12 years. That is three terms of four years each, enough time to implement changes and see them through to fruition. Beyond that the public start to grow restless and they crave change. Savvy politicians even run on a platform that calls for a change of political party to rule the country, simply because it is time.
Whether you are a King or Queen who directly rules your country, or a dictator or political party, you need to take account of the fact that after 12 years your time is up. Should you stay beyond that period of time you will outstay your welcome. We can only try to understand the shock and awe that deposed rulers are trying to cope with today after having been fired by their subjects.
What we have seen in Tunisia and Egypt are only the first steps in their change. What the future will bring for them is unclear. The United States hopes that U.S. style democracy will be the accepted form of life in these countries, but that form of governance has its own drawbacks in that party comes first before country.
We should avoid thinking that these historic events only affect the subject countries. In fact, they have a worldwide impact in ways that we are not able to comprehend at this moment, but your life and mind will be influenced as well.
P.S. The thought crossed my mind that if such an incredible action happened in Egypt, it could surely happen anywhere. I turned on the television the day after the president resigned and found myself watching pictures of people scuffling with police and being arrested. I thought that was all over with and I was very confused, until I discovered I was looking at live pictures from Algeria.
Copyright © 2011 Eugene Carmichael
Over an eighteen-day period, starting in late January and ending on February 11th, 2011, the world watched as the Egyptian people wrote the manual on “How to Topple a Dictator.” Their methodology was perfect and efficient. Of course, their inspiration came from Tunisia where the people there were even more ruthless and successful, although their task was not as great as that in Egypt.
It all goes to prove once again that every great change starts with the power of one. On a day in Tunisia the police took away a young man’s food items that he was trying to sell. With that he became so despondent that he decided that he might just as well kill himself, and this he did by setting fire to himself. Those flames translated into the fire of discontent with the government and its leader who had ruled comfortably for 23 years. Within a week he and his family were fleeing for their lives.
Meanwhile, the people in Egypt took note and decided that what they had seen was a very good idea indeed. What the world has witnessed in both situations is nothing less than a sea change in the Arab world, and quite possibly in the Western world as well. People power, when properly harnessed can be awesome.
Egypt, a land of Pharaohs, Mummies, Great Pyramids, and The Sphinx has always been central to the rest of the world. The Egyptians have given so much learning to the world, and much mystery as well. It should not be too surprising that this most populist country of the Arabic world would lead the way in effecting such extraordinary change. Arab dictators and kings are now on notice that life and power can never be taken for granted.
Politics in Egypt has moved slowly and along the path of Dynasties. For Hosni Mubarak, who ruled for 30 years, this would have been an expected length of time to rule. I feel certain that he was intending to rule until the day he died. After all, The Pharaoh Ramesses II ruled for 67 years.
However, one thing is becoming clear in politics, and it is this: The patience of the people will allow for a maximum period of leadership of 12 years. That is three terms of four years each, enough time to implement changes and see them through to fruition. Beyond that the public start to grow restless and they crave change. Savvy politicians even run on a platform that calls for a change of political party to rule the country, simply because it is time.
Whether you are a King or Queen who directly rules your country, or a dictator or political party, you need to take account of the fact that after 12 years your time is up. Should you stay beyond that period of time you will outstay your welcome. We can only try to understand the shock and awe that deposed rulers are trying to cope with today after having been fired by their subjects.
What we have seen in Tunisia and Egypt are only the first steps in their change. What the future will bring for them is unclear. The United States hopes that U.S. style democracy will be the accepted form of life in these countries, but that form of governance has its own drawbacks in that party comes first before country.
We should avoid thinking that these historic events only affect the subject countries. In fact, they have a worldwide impact in ways that we are not able to comprehend at this moment, but your life and mind will be influenced as well.
P.S. The thought crossed my mind that if such an incredible action happened in Egypt, it could surely happen anywhere. I turned on the television the day after the president resigned and found myself watching pictures of people scuffling with police and being arrested. I thought that was all over with and I was very confused, until I discovered I was looking at live pictures from Algeria.
Copyright © 2011 Eugene Carmichael
