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Egypt: The Distance Between Enthusiasm and Reality
On Feb. 11, Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak resigned. A military
council was named to govern in his place. On Feb. 11-12, the crowds that
had gathered in Tahrir Square celebrated Mubarak’s fall and the triumph
of democracy in Egypt. On Feb. 13, the military council abolished the
constitution and dissolved parliament, promising a new constitution to
be ratified by a referendum and stating that the military would rule for
six months, or until the military decides it’s ready to hold
parliamentary and presidential elections.
What we see is that while Mubarak is gone, the military regime in which
he served has dramatically increased its power. This isn’t incompatible
with democratic reform. Organizing elections, political parties and
candidates is not something that can be done quickly. If the military is
sincere in its intentions, it will have to do these things. The problem
is that if the military is insincere it will do exactly the same
things. Six months is a long time, passions can subside and promises can
be forgotten. Read more »
