Wednesday, April 6, 2011
Bb Global Politics: Prof. Monaco's Lecture on the "Arab Spring"
Bb Global Politics: Prof. Monaco's Lecture on the "Arab Spring": "On Thu, 3/31, we attended a 'Global Conversations' event organized by the Office of Student Life. Prof. Monaco lectured about the role ..."
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Professor Monaco’s lecture on the “Arab Spring” was insightful to say the least. The professor mentioned the connection between Diplomacy and Revolution. When I thought more about this link I realized that they have been closely linked for hundreds of years. The United States was created from the ideals of Democracy; Hence, the American Revolution. The recent uprisings that have occurred in the Middle East (Bahrain, Libya, Egypt and Yemen among others), seem to have certain things in common. Much of the unrest stems from economic, political and social stagnation in the region. The frustration felt by the people of these nations cannot be ignored any longer. Professor Monaco discussed the views of the uprisings from the aspect of the U.S. as well as other nations such as Israel. The US called for peaceful demonstrations meanwhile protestors in Egypt and Bahrain were being shot for no other reason than protesting. Monaco mentioned that the military power cuts down the ability to make progress in social reform. Peaceful should be peaceful. The US needs to deviate from its strict allegiance to Israel and address the concerns of the Middle East people. Monaco seemed to have a bleak view of US relations with the Middle East given the terminology he used. He seemed to take the Dependency theory in his speech. His implication seemed to be that the US wanted to be the dominant power and has been exploiting the Middle East for its oil for many years. Terms like “Elite Capitalistic Democracy” offered Monaco’s viewpoint of the US as a “snob” nation that only helps with ulterior motives. Even though these ideas aren’t completely unfounded, I would like to believe that not all Americans are lumped together in that category. The social network served to be a platform on which the revolutions received much attention. With or without “Facebook” the revolutions would have occurred however, every little bit helps. I personally found it fascinating that college students, mothers, fathers, sons and daughters from Egypt to Michigan were able to communicate their frustrations together. The “media battlefield” can help wage and win wars apparently. To me, that shows progress. The NGO’s Freedom House and National Endowment for Democracy seem to want to catapult democracy throughout the Middle East like a slingshot. I believe that as long as intentions are wholeheartedly genuine, than go for it. The people’s needs, concerns and common issues should be heard and maybe with the aid of these NGO’s, they will be. This has been a long time coming but I sometimes feel that the cautionary phrase, be careful what you wish for because you just might get it comes into play. I want all people to be happy and live their lives well however Democracy may not work everywhere. I hope that each and every nation involved can resolve each issue peacefully and without displacement, fighting and murder. Unfortunately the bloody history of the Middle East tells a different story. History has a way of repeating itself but maybe through the new generation of revolutionary thinkers, we can change things our way.
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