One step closer

Danny Kim

The 21st century is a completely democratic age. The customs of democracy are rapidly

seeping into the ways of life and government to the very last corners of the world, but one region

remains an exception. The Middle East still lives on separated from the modern, democratic world.

Not only democracy but the Middle Eastern countries also lack liberalism, and it’s safe to say it’s

one of the most underdeveloped regions in the whole world. Lacking both the modern ways of

government and culture, the results are terrible and everything seems hopeless unless some

changes start to happen.

Without liberalism nor democracy, the Middle Eastern countries are a stagnation in both

cultural and economic aspects. Governments separate religion and politics, and fundamentalism

took root in religions. This separation was the incentive to most cases of civil wars and terrorism. In

economic aspects, the Middle Eastern nations are very resource-rich to start with. That means the

government doesn’t need to rely on peoples’ economic activities, making the worst environment

for a successful market system to take place. This leads to the lack of the wealthy middle-class,

starting a vicious cycle that pedals the government further away from liberalism. This situation has

become serious enough, and maybe now it’s time for other countries to start caring about it and

take action for the sake of the world.

Liberalization and democratization of the Middle East is primary to greater peace and
security worldwide. Undoing this situation will firstly stop terrorism, fundamentalism, and stabilize

the economy and culture. Getting these obstacles out of the way is the foremost step to

reconstructing and democratizing the countries of the Middle East, which will gradually achieve

much more and become part of the modern world. This also takes out the biggest obstacle to world

democratization too. One small step of these nations can take modern humanity way further into a

more positive future.

Then, the more important question is about how to actually do it. One way is to is to

exterminate the main causes that prevent liberalization and democratization from taking root. These

causes aren’t religious nor cultural but actually related to more of a historical background. Many

Middle Eastern nations were colonies and had hope for modernization a few decades ago. But after

the failure of politics such as Nasserism and socialism, western ideas were easily associated with

failure. This naturally caused fear and hatred of westernization. Gradualism might be the only key

to this problem. Not quick changes, but rather slow and gradual progress must be made. But this

also depends mostly on the willpower of the people and government, how badly are they willing

for a second try.

The second way to undo this situation is reform, mostly economic ones must take place.

The Middle Eastern nations need a stable market economy that will lead them to capitalization. One

way is to follow the Chad model. Back then when Chad was a poor country, it dedicated 80% of

their tax to social institutions. This started a virtuous cycle, starting with the government gathering
more tax, more efficiently. Then the citizens would earn more money, increasing the percentage of

employment and finally making educational progress. The society’s encouragement of scholarship

will increase the productivity and advancement of a nation in almost every aspect. A wealthy and

well-educated bourgeoisie takes it one step closer to liberalization, then culture and religion will

naturally follow.

It may sound too exaggerated that such tiny reforms will start massive changes and cycles.

It’s just a matter of chance. The Middle Eastern nations might gradually reaccept the western cultures

and ideas and the process will likely be very slow. Such gradual changes will dramatically decrease

the chances of it going into a twisted path of achieving democracy like Germany or Russia. If that

way doesn’t work, internal reforms within the nation needs to take place. As mentioned earlier, the

Middle East is cursed with unearned resources and wealth. This happens due to inefficient tax

collecting, which is to be solved following the Chad model. Also, the people in power in some

autocrat nations must make changes to stay in power, so the chances of failure is very low.

Middle Eastern nations show a positive future if they follow the right path to liberal

democracy. Either the acceptance of western culture or economic revisions must be made. Successful

results will bring in peace and religious, cultural stabilization not only in nearby regions but

worldwide. Of course the cooperation of the citizens and the government is important too, but

maybe the true key might be in our hands. We should care about these nations as much as any

others if wanting to go one step closer to a brighter, more liberal future.