Comments on Arabdemocracy: General Aoun and the Weight of History

Dear Joseph,As long as they all (Parties and indiv...

2009-01-12T15:21:16.803Z

Dear Joseph,

As long as they all (Parties and individuals) work and push through systems and institutions, I think this change will become inevitable…
Unlike you, the reason I am optimistic is that I see that most political stakeholders are currently working and mobilizing through systems and institutions… at least this is becoming the modus operandi lately…or at least on the road to that.
The challenge now is improving the systems and creating ones where they do not exist…to attract all players to work within the system… I admit that it is mammoth task… But no one said that creating keeping and up keeping nations is a simple task, specially a nation such as ours.

Political parties and grass-root movements are an intrinsic element of any System and Institutionalized political and democratic system. I agree though that it is definitely NOT about individuals or Specific characters.

I agree with you that idolizing political figures is not the way to the above, but at the same time any change has to have a god father, a leader or at least a Catalyst, until a tipping point is reached… This is how change has happened throughout history because mind you and here I quote Niccolo Machiavelli: “There is nothing more difficult to take in hand, more perilous to conduct, or more uncertain in its success, than to take the lead in the introduction of a new order of things."

General Aoun has definitely affected change in the Lebanese psyche, what is left to be seen is if this change would be consistent and enough to achieve a tipping point for a long lasting and intrinsic change that we all crave and need.

On the other hand and particularly if we need to go beyond the tipping point, the major question remains, if he will succeed in creating a movement, a system, and an institution that transcends him as an idolized political character, so that this change would not be a one of spike in our recent future history preceding a chaotic aftermath as a result.

My current bet, for now, is the tipping point…

Dear NabihI think we both agree that change is nee...

2009-01-09T12:38:12.153Z

Dear Nabih

I think we both agree that change is needed and inevitable.

We disagree on the vehicle for it. Having flirted with political parties in my youth, i am convinced that only systems and institutions can bring about the change in mentality and attitudes that are required to safeguard this country.

I am less optimistic than on you on the ability of General Aoun or for that matter anyone else (parties or individuals)to create that change.

My hope for 2009 is that things dont get worse. And I am sure we wil follow up on that discussion during the year.

Joseph

Thanks a lot for your well articulated account of ...

2009-01-09T09:00:46.250Z

Thanks a lot for your well articulated account of that period.
Although it is a very fair account of events, allow me to say, that your personal perspective and stance, as a result of the events, are quite dubious to me… You remind me of a Chinese proverb; “When rape is inevitable… Relax and enjoy it”
In my book, I believe “confrontation” and “troublemaking” is the best tools in the face of injustice and unfairness.
I personally believe that 2009 is going to be the year… where the record will be set straight again!

Resistance is not about toppling your opponent or enemy but rather outliving or sustaining until change takes place …

Thanks Joseph, appreciate your response. It seems ...

2008-12-08T10:35:10.802Z

Thanks Joseph, appreciate your response. It seems that even the most well-intentioned politicians are often too far removed from people's suffering.

Thanks for your comment Ann. To answer your quetio...

2008-12-07T16:46:36.885Z

Thanks for your comment Ann. To answer your quetion, probably because I felt betrayed. We had suffered on a personal level during that war. When the Taef accord were signed I was eager for peace and normality. Aoun rejected it outright and that was unjustifiable for me. Since then in my mind he has been nothing more than a confrontational and troublemaking figure.

Joseph

Interesting impressions. Just curious: why have yo...

2008-12-06T13:37:09.266Z

Interesting impressions. Just curious: why have you disliked Aoun?