Friday, July 5, 2013

Egypt

The first election is but a glimmer in the eye of lovers of democracy.  The second election is the birth of a constitutional democracy.  The natural non-violent transfer of power is an institutional milestone.  Unfortunately,  in Egypt the first election was followed by a c-section.  The coup may have been necessary for the life of the nation, but the successful transition to a democratic state remains uncertain.

Will Rogers famously proclaimed, "I am not a member of an organized party, I am a Democrat."
The same can be said of the secular/progressives in Egypt.  I was there shortly before the 2011 elections.  My guide came from an upper middle class family, and his wife worked for an American subsidiary.  He pointed out signs and pictures of the moderate candidate he was certain would be the next president.

Importantly, most supporters of secular government are themselves devout Muslims.  Our guide has special dispensation from his Mullah to pray outside of a mosque.  He always found time for his prayers.  But he wanted economic viability from his government.

Moderates, such as my guide, failed to coalesce behind a single candidate or party.  Their vote was scattered, and many refused to vote based on cynicism or political purity.  These revolutionaries won the war, but lost the peace.  Had secularists united to at least form a necessary part of any coalition, Morsi might have remained in check, negating the need for a coup.

If the military holds promised elections,  secularists must learn from their past to secure Egypt's future.