Democratic reforms in the Middle East

Introduction

According to Freedom House, a U.S.-based, advocacy organisation, and various other freedom indices, the Middle Eastern and North African countries with the highest scores are Israel, Tunisia, Turkey, Lebanon, Morocco, Jordan, and Kuwait. Iran, Iraq, and Egypt have all been consistently labelled as 'not free' by Freedom House. They have become increasingly hostile to the concept of liberal democracy, with their scores steadily decreasing; only Iraq has maintained some level of internet freedom among these countries. The remaining Middle Eastern countries are classified as authoritarian regimes, with Saudi Arabia and Yemen receiving the lowest scores.

History

In the Middle East, democracy has had a rocky relationship. In recent decades, countries throughout the region have struggled with authoritarian regimes and embraced democratic reforms within their systems. These initiatives can be traced back to the late 1800s, when some countries began liberal reforms and increased political representation. However, it was not until after WWII that these calls for change were heard on a global scale. By the 1970s, various Middle Eastern political parties had emerged, each with varying degrees of success in gaining seats in parliaments or governments. The Arab Spring revolts of 2011 sparked widespread protests in a number of Middle Eastern countries, catalysing even more democratic reforms. Numerous United Nations initiatives have also contributed to this.

Measures of Democracy

Democracy is a system of government wherein people are allowed to participate in the political decision-making process, either directly or through elected representatives. As such, there are a variety of measures used to assess the health of a democracy. These measures include the following:

Political Participation

This is a measure of the degree to which citizens can participate in the political decision-making process. This includes voting in elections, attending rallies and demonstrations, and engaging in public discourse.

Electoral Process

This is a measure of the fairness and effectiveness of the electoral system. This includes ensuring that all citizens have the right to vote, that the ballot is secret and secure, and that the count is fair and transparent.

Civil Liberties

This is a measure of the degree to which citizens can exercise their basic rights and freedoms. This covers the rights to free expression, assembly, and the press.

Rule of Law

This is a measure of the degree to which the government follows the law and respects human rights. This includes the effectiveness of the justice system and the extent to which laws are enforced.

Government Performance

This is a measure of the degree to which the government can deliver services to citizens and provide a safe and secure environment. This includes the quality of public education, healthcare, and infrastructure.

Freedom of Expression

This is a measure of the degree to which citizens can express their opinions without fear of retribution. This includes the ability to form political parties, hold public protests, and openly criticise the government.

Current State

In recent years, the Middle East has made remarkable progress toward democratic reform, with countries such as Tunisia and Iraq leading the way. New constitutions and electoral systems have been established, giving citizens more power than they have ever had.

• The election of a new government in Iraq in 2018 was regarded as a watershed moment in the country's democratic transition. The new government has put in place a new constitution that guarantees the rights of all citizens, regardless of religion, ethnicity, or gender. In addition, the government has implemented a new electoral system, which has increased participation from all segments of society.

• Other countries in the region are also making progress. Kuwait has enacted new laws to protect freedom of expression and association, while Lebanon's civil society has grown. Furthermore, some countries are reforming their legal systems in order to ensure that all citizens have equal access to justice.

• Overall, the Middle East is making progress toward democratic reforms, but much more work remains to be done. Many countries still lack strong institutions, and greater public participation in decision-making is required. Furthermore, greater protection of citizen rights, including the right to free and fair elections, is required. As the region makes progress, governments and civil society organisations must continue to collaborate to ensure that these reforms are implemented in an effective and meaningful manner.

Constitutional Monarchy

Constitutional monarchy refers to a system of government in which a monarch serves as the head of state and is limited in power by a constitution. This form of government combines the traditional aspects of the monarchy with democratic principles. It is a form of government in which the people have a say in decision-making through elected representatives, and the monarch's power is limited by the constitution.

The goal of establishing a constitutional monarchy in the Middle East is to raise the region's level of democracy. It is viewed as an opportunity to improve the region's political stability and prosperity. Constitutional monarchy is a more inclusive form of government that allows the people to participate in decision-making and elect their representatives. This form of government is thought to be beneficial to the Middle East because it is viewed as a means of creating a more stable and secure political environment.

It is also believed that a constitutional monarchy will increase regional stability by providing a more effective system for resolving disputes and maintaining peace and order.

At the same time, constitutional monarchy can be viewed as a way to limit the monarchy's power and ensure its accountability to the people. This type of government can aid in the reduction of corruption and the improvement of the political system's transparency and accountability. It also limits the monarchy's power, allowing for more democratic reforms in the Middle East.

Conclusion

The recent democratic reforms in the Middle East are an encouraging sign of progress and a demonstration that people all around the world have united in wanting peace, stability, and free societies. All these reforms come at a difficult time given the region's history of authoritarianism and violence. We hope that through advances in technology, education, journalism, and advocacy efforts they will prevail against all odds while putting citizens’ interests first before anything else.

FAQs

Q1. How important are American foreign policy and diplomatic initiatives in these reforms?

Ans. The United States foreign policy and diplomatic initiatives are critical in promoting and supporting reforms in other countries. These initiatives aim to promote democracy, human rights, and economic development while also providing technical and financial support for institutional reforms.

Q2. To what extent has social media played a role in propelling democratic change in the region?

Ans. Social media have been a major force in fuelling democratic change in the region, providing a platform for citizens to voice their grievances, organise protests, and spread awareness of political and social issues.

Q3. How has autocracy been entrenched in various Middle Eastern states?

Ans. Autocracy has become entrenched in a number of Middle Eastern states through a combination of state violence, repression of the opposition, and election manipulation. Furthermore, the governments of these states have frequently used religion and nationalism to maintain power.