Last year we witnessed an astounding collection of uprisings against dictatorships in the Middle East. Starting with Tunisia, then Egypt, then Libya, dictators have been replaced by…what? And for how long? At this point in time, it appears to be a mixed bag. Egypt, currently run by the military, is enjoying the first reasonably open election ever. Whether it will result in the military relinquishing power is yet to be known. Libya, and to a lesser extent Tunisia, appear to be more stable, although they will have an interesting future. Syria? Who knows how that will evolve? Will Al-Assad’s regime collapse under the weight of its own repression? If recent history is a guide – and it probably isn’t – the ruling family will take refuge in another country, leaving Syria to the wolves. One thing that is uncomfortable for many of us Western types is that while the popular uprisings have a faint whiff of democracy in the air, it isn’t exactly your mother’s (or your Uncle Sam’s) brand of democracy.
The reasons for the uprisings are manifold, but primarily centered on repression and corruption. The two generally go hand-in-hand, and for good reason. Exhibit A of greed being one of the seven deadly sins is apparent when dissecting governmental doings.
What’s interesting to note is how the US has supported, at least publicly, the revolutions. Even though we have tolerated or actively worked with the repressive regimes, we’ve positioned ourselves on the right side of history by claiming that we are ‘with the people’. At least until someone takes power that promotes our ‘national self-interest’, at which time we’ll drop the facade of being with the people. Such is the cynical way the world operates.
But this whole process over the past couple of years begs the question: Could it happen here?
American history is rife with malcontents, revolutionaries, and thugs of varying stripes. Ever since before the Revolutionary War, when there were as many against independence as for it. After the war, there was Shay’s Rebellion. Since then, there have been strikes, riots, rebellious groups, cults and movements. Yet for better or worse, we have more or less escaped from having another revolution.
But could that change? As written previously, we’ve seen our civil liberties circumvented or done away with entirely, usually in the name of National Security. As of now, it would be difficult to name one liberty that was suspended and subsequently returned to us. At some time, there may be a tipping point reached where we as a nation rise up and say ‘Enough’.
Will that actually occur? Evidence is sketchy at best, but between the Occupy movement, militia groups, Tea Party adherents and a general sense that government is not working for us all point to the possibility that we will, in fact, reach that tipping point. What will be interesting is the collection of people supporting a take-back of our government. Really, can you imagine a Tea Partier and an Occupier working together for a common goal? If so, it would be a marriage of convenience. Keep in mind the adage “the enemy of my enemy is my friend”. But that’s only until the next battle.
It’ll be interesting to see if this ever gels into the public taking back their government or whether we continue to cower, content with the knowledge that Big Brother is truly knows what’s best for you.
Just like sheep.
