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The Spectacle Blog
In response to my call for American leadership in Egypt and the Middle East, Jim Antle has asked for specifics. What, exactly, do I propose that the United States do?
Fair enough.
I have recommended a $2.5-billion aid package to Egyptian civil society elements to help jumpstart liberal democratic institution building in Egypt.
The United States, after all, is one of the world’s oldest and most successful democracies. As such, we have developed tremendous technical expertise in running and administering free and fair elections. We should share this expertise with the Egyptian government and with Egyptian civil society elements.
More than that, we should actively assist liberal democratic parties and factions within Egypt, so that they can effectively compete electorally and win the battle of ideas.
These are all things that the United States already does through agencies such as the National Endowment for Democracy, the National Democratic Institute, and the National Republican Institute. So the organizational infrastructure required for us to help the Egyptian people politically is already in place.
Thankfully, according to the New York Times, “the White House and the State Department [are] already discussing setting aside new funds to bolster the rise of secular political parties.”
Economically, the Wall Street Journal recommends “a free trade agreement and open access to U.S. and EU markets for [Egyptian] goods as democracy advances.”
Greater and freer trade with Egypt makes sense. It will create new economic opportunities for Egyptians and new paths for economic advancement, while exposing them to outside, Western influences.
This is tremendously important because economic deprivation and a serious lack of economic opportunity were major causal factors behind the revolution.
It’s also important that the Egyptian people not associate democracy with economic misery and economic failure as happened in Weimar Germany. Thus, the United States and the international community ought to progressively integrate the Egyptian economy into the larger-scale world economy as a reward for democratization.
The point is help Egypt move in a liberal democratic direction. It is to tilt the scales there in favor of liberal democracy, so that Egypt’s noble revolution does not fail or get hijacked by the Islamists and the extremists.
A liberal democratic Egypt is best for Egypt, and it is best for the United States. And so we must pursue it — now.
View all comments (10) | Leave a comment
More Blog Posts by John R. Guardiano
http://spectator.org/blog/2011/02/14/how-should-the-united-states-h
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Clint| 2.14.11 @ 5:40PM
We'll Support A $2.5 Billion Aid Package to Egypt If Obama Steps Down.
Otherwise,We Go Egypt on Obama.
Tina B| 2.14.11 @ 5:47PM
I think that all things being said, it really depends on who engineered the "spontaineous" (sic) revolution of 17 days.
If America had a major hand in the timing, than maybe American interests may come back into play. If the timing was according to some Jihadist group plan, then it will play out in line with Islamicist interests and no one else's.
Who really was at the heart of the uprising and ulimate overthrow, was it the "young and the old together, working for a life of freedom for most if not all," or was it a cover the Jihadists successfully used to begin their move to the "Caliphate"?
Curly Smith| 2.14.11 @ 6:43PM
It's far too late for your recommendations to have any positive impact. You're looking to build a grassroots effort, educate the public, form political parties, find suitable candidates and have an election in 6 months with an electorate that's 70% illiterate. Any money from a US source will be tainted money with ads running "foreigners looking to buy Egypt" or "Big Satan still wants to run the show". Anything that we do that we haven't already been doing will backfire and it will ultimately benefit the Muslim Brotherhood. The time for ramping up the push for Democracy was 2 years ago... you know, right after Obama, PBUH, cut the funds.
The only thing that we can do is wish the Egyptians well. Encourage them from afar to make good decisions and hope that they don't trade one form of tyranny for another form of tyranny. Given what you say in your other post though it looks like Washington is working overtime to elect the Brotherhood. I'll bet they'll even act surprised.
Rich Rostrom| 2.14.11 @ 8:53PM
Actually, Egypt is about 71% literate. That's not good, but it's way better than 30%. (Per the CIA Factbook, which gets stuff like that right.)
Ken (Old Texican)| 2.14.11 @ 8:03PM
Guardiano,
We and the Egyptians are both screwed.
Our present administration can be counted on to the exact WRONG things at every step of the process.
Hey, idiot! We are in front of the grave-yard! Quit whistling!
Occam's Tool| 2.14.11 @ 8:39PM
Fused glass might work as a gift to the Egyptians, at the Aswan Dam.
Red Phillips | 2.14.11 @ 10:09PM
That is rank blood lust. You are advocating the genocide of a nation. What the Hell is wrong with you?
Ken (Old Texican)| 2.15.11 @ 11:01AM
OK Red,
Maybe we can help Egypt by NOT nuking the Aswan dam. Just send them a reminder post card.
There, Better?
Handy| 2.15.11 @ 10:10AM
No need to send that $2.5 billion to Cairo. Just make an electronic funds transfer to the Muzzy Brohood account in Switzerland. As Bugs would say, "Guardiano, you are a maroon."
Go over there and run for office if you think the Egyptians are ready for liberal democracy. But, please take Obama with you. We here in the USA could use a return to freedom, as well.