Hunger in Middle East for Democracy but the US Model Fails to Inspire

President Obama, in his ground breaking 2009 speech to a Middle Eastern audience, promoted the cause of democracy but he made it clear that “No system of government can or should be imposed by one nation by any other.”

Deep Yearnings

In Cairo he outlined his “unyielding belief that all people yearn for certain things: the ability to speak your mind and have a say in how you are governed; confidence in the rule of law and the equal administration of justice; government that is transparent and doesn’t steal from the people; the freedom to live as you choose.”

This is admirable and so far this year there has been a growing and sustained hunger for these aspirations to take root across the Middle Eastern region.

Marathon Campaign

President Obama was fast off the starting blocks this week when he officially launched his election bid. A 19 month campaign process will surely distract and divert the President from fulfilling so many of the promises he made not long ago.

Billions on Electioneering

Furthermore, how does a country that is so heavily in debt allow so much money, time and effort be spent on electoral campaigning? With Obama, as only one of several 2012 Presidential hopefuls, calling for a billion dollars with which to fuel his campaign, this American brand of democracy is not inspiring many onlookers here in the Middle East.

Geoff Pound

This article is also posted on the Facebook Page—Fujairah in Focus.

Image: President Obama, in his ground breaking 2009 speech to a Middle Eastern audience in Cairo, promoting the cause of democracy.