Iran, Tunisia, Egypt. Each makes lie of the belief that Islam is incompatible with “democracy”. Let’s tread carefully here, however, lest one get the wrong idea. The expression of popular will that we have seen in these Islamic states, can be closely correlated with those in eastern Europe over twenty years ago in the sense that they are democratic because they embody the core of concept of democracy–”demos” or the people. In other words, they reflect one facet of our modern understanding of democracy, that which correlates political legitimacy with popular support. That is all. Like in eastern Europe, what comes afterward might be democratic in a way recognizable to western political order or it might be democratic in the sense that it has greater legitimacy, read support of the people, whether or not it includes political values treasured by the west. In the case of Egypt, it may be the Muslim Brotherhood, architects of modern-day Islamic fundamentalism, and the most legitimate Egyptian opposition force, is ushered into power. If the brotherhood does rise in Egypt it will serve as another example of my Unifying Theory of Irony–in this case, that those we have considered our most implacable enemies should rise to prominence in a country we considered the most faithful of allies. In any case, we must be prepared to accept the outcome.
Regimes without popular support can last a long time, but they will ultimately fall; incinerated by the heat created by their own repressions. It doesn’t help the US that tear gas canisters and other ordnance marked as American made are being used against protesters. A simple act of self-immolation in neighboring Tunisia, has sparked Egypt’s kindling. Where to now?
