Structured Response #4

Structured Response #4

            States in the Middle East, in general, are large, strong, and powerful. At first glance, it might seem like these states are in no need of reform: they employ large numbers of people, have a multitude of resources, and control their domestic affairs with ease. However, many of these states are controlled in some part by the military, and also by many layers of bureaucracy. Both of these issues make reform quite difficult, especially when the government in place is critical and suspicious of any reform that might weaken its powers and has the military in its control to fight off any types of forced reform – like rebellion. Not only are regimes adverse to reform, it is also very difficult to logistically create any reform because of the red tape of the bureaucratic system.

            Gilbert of Beyond Research and Development seemed especially frustrated by the lack of progress that had been made when it comes to reform in the MENA region since the 1990’s. The initial flood of western funds for civil society and democratization that came around 1995 were not enough to create actually change in the region. Gilbert explained that NGOs and other CSOs have the best policy makers who know more about policy in their respective countries than the government’s actually policy makers, but the policies they have created cannot be put in place because the current regimes want nothing to do with reform. NGOs and CSOs are sucked into political parties and sit on boards that function for no positive change – it’s all talk. If any true reform and democratization is going to happen in the MENA region that has to change.

            Gilbert outlined the new strategy that Beyond Research and Development and other groups are going to start using, which is returning to more grassroots reforms and social movements to promote democracy and change. Change can only happen in the MENA region if the people working for it actually care. Volunteers may be a more beneficial group than salaried workers coming for their 8 hour shift just to make a living – not because they are passionate about democratization in the Middle East. Hopefully grassroots organizations will produce actual change and gain momentum so that the beneficial policies that have been created can actually be put into place.