Zawaya

Creating a new political model that's modern and ethical

By: Iqbal Al Gharbi

The Arab countries live to the rhythm of the Arab spring.

The Spring of Nations was triggered by a deep crisis occasioned by several factors, namely a structural economic crisis, the closure of public space, and excessive social and regional disparities.

Today, the youth movement calling for expanded political and civil rights is faced with a religious radicalism that’s threatening the fragile achievements of the Arab spring.

This religious radicalism is fueled by the “national disillusionment” that came along with independence in each Maghreb country.

As a matter of fact, the Maghreb’s economic crisis, and the European laws against immigration, are two factors that discredited modernity, as well as its concepts and values, in the eyes of millions of young people.

Within the space of a generation (1975-1995), the climate of relative liberalism and reformism was placed in jeopardy. The educated and poverty-stricken middle class became particularly sensitive to Islamism.

Thousands of jobless graduates, who are considered as proletarized intellectuals for not having access to key power jobs, revolted against modernity, which has not delivered on its promises.

The technological revolution, the proliferation of satellite channels and the Internet connect us to a virtual consumer world. This imaginary and frustrating world has an unsettling impact on the Maghreb youth.

In Tunisia, for instance, the exclusion of Islamic movements, trade unions and leftist parties from political debates, and the grip of the RCD (Constitutional Democratic Rally) on politics, fuel frustration and disappointment.

The Western support for former President Ben Ali who was constantly criticized by human rights associations, gives a Machiavellian view of politics.

Young Tunisians have a despised regime that terribly lacks legitimacy, and maintains its power thanks to the support of financial institutions, liberal States, and global “governance” experts.

With such paradoxes undermining young people, religious radicalism promises to raise the moral standards of social life and politics, and break with the Machiavellian West.

Currently, the democratic movement’s victory depends on its ability to face these challenges and overcome these paradoxes. The political debate reflects the challenging negotiations and confrontations of the groups that took part in the revolution of January 14. This is all about overcoming the discredit of the political system, which can complicate the establishment of a credible power.

However, the young revolutionaries who amazed the world by their ingenuity, discipline, tenacity and courage, and who rejected the reactionary and nihilistic violence, are also capable of offering us a new, modern and ethical political model in the future.