Why I Don’t Support Democracy in Bahrain
Posted on 25 May 2011 by Suhail
As you can imagine, I’ve had the democracy conversation lots of times in the last few weeks, especially with journalists. I’ve even had conversations about it during my recent trip to China. Let me emphasise that I think democracy is a good thing; I run my businesses in a fairly democratic way, as well as my household (I follow the “yes dear” school of thought when it comes to my household).
But I think democracy works better for some countries than others, and quite frankly I don’t think we in Bahrain are ready for a fully fledged democracy. As I mentioned in a previous blog post, we have a tribal system that has been in place for centuries, and uprooting this system over night and replacing it with a Western-style democracy is very dangerous. Our system may not be perfect, but it works.
I think it’s instructive that not a single Gulf Monarchy has been overthrown, while there was so much turmoil in other parts of the Arab World. Please don’t misunderstand, I think we have problems that need to be resolved, and more reforms that need to take place, but overthrowing the regime and introducing democracy overnight would be very unwise indeed.
The proof
For me, the biggest proof that we’re not ready for democracy is the polarisation and sectarianism we’ve seen during the recent crisis. We’ve seen people from both sides labelling each other in horrible ways, and we’ve seen that there is still in element of mistrust in our society. Would it be wise to unleash a fully fledged democracy in a place like this? Democracy is a very sharp tool that can cause a lot of damage if misused. And I think we lack the maturity in Bahrain to handle such a tool.
Let me emphasise the point with a personal observation. Several weeks before the crisis began, I went to a Shia village to offer my condolence for the passing of a prominent Bahraini businesswoman [sorry to use labels - again - but it's relevant here]. As I drove out the village I saw a big banner hanging over the street that had a quote by prominent cleric and politician Sheikh Ali Salman.
The quote said something to the effect of “No tears are real tears except if they are for the Imam Hussain.” Frankly, I have no problem with such a statement. It might not reflect my own sentiment, but as a Muslim it is my duty to respect the views of Muslims from other sects. And since this village is predominantly Shia, I don’t see a problem with such a banner hanging at it’s entrance.
However, I do have a problem if such a statement were to come from a head of government (to me it’s fairly obvious the Sheikh has ambitions to rule) Imagine if we did have a fully fledged democracy, how will a statement like this be interpreted? A religious scholar can say something like this, but when it’s made by a Prime Minister for example, it becomes a declaration, and can cause serious tension. I don’t want to be told by the head of government or state who I can or cannot cry for. In fact, I don’t want my ruler to be a religious scholar at all (from either sect).
Furthermore, if we were to have a fully fledged democracy, how many people will be told that it is their religious duty to vote for one leader or another? Will they really be allowed to vote using their own free will? During the recent crisis we’ve heard many stories of people being forced to strike because it was “their religious duty”, even though they wanted to go to work. Is it wise to introduce democracy in a society like this? I think not. I just don’t think we’re ready.
Having said that, I think we should still strive for democracy, in a slow evolutionary process. More about that in a minute, but first…
My cynical view of professional elected politicians
I admit I have a cynical view of elected professional (full-time) politicians. I think it’s fair to say that most (but certainly not all) elected politicians will do anything to stay in power. If you think about it, that’s what they are all about, they are in the business of staying in power, and will say or do almost anything to keep it. And most are too far removed from the day-to-day realities of life.
Personally, I like our current system of having two houses, an elected Parliament and appointed Legislative (Shura) Council. I think the Shura council is a good buffer against the elected house.
But our current system could be improved…
Having said that, I think what little democracy we do have should be improved. I’m told that a vote in the southern part of the Kingdom is worth eight votes in the northern part. That’s just not right. I think the electoral constituencies need to be redrawn to be more accurate and democratic. The Parliament should be a properly elected house with properly electoral constituencies – no funny business.
What we need to focus on the most
Personally, I think we have far more urgent matters to focus on than democracy; if there are two major underlining problems we have in the Arab world it’s these two: 1) Corruption, and 2) Education (or the lack of it). So instead of focusing on democracy, I think our government (and most Arab governments) should focus on eliminating corruption, and improving – or rather overhauling – education.
It seems to me our education system is graduating young men and women who are ill prepared for the work force. They seem to have either an unrealistic sense of entitlement, or sense of nothing to lose. This needs to be seriously addressed. Our government then spends millions of dinars re-training Bahrainis through various Tamkeen schemes. Why not put the extra money received from the LMRA into our education system to begin with?
We need to teach our children how to think. Something they call “critical thinking” in the West. Less force feeding of information that is regurgitated during exams, and more emphasis on critical thinking and emotional intelligence.
Furthermore, we should educate our school children in democracy. They should learn about the different democratic systems around the world, they should learn to elect a class representative, and then a grade representative, and a school union president and so on. They should also receive intense training on cross-cultural and religious tolerance, understanding and compassion. Basically, the next generation should be grow up with a democratic mindset so that they maybe ready for a more advanced level of democracy. One that doesn’t reek of sectarianism.
But first things first
The immediate thing that should happen after June 1st (when the state of emergency is lifted) is to focus on reform. And I think the reform and continued dialogue process should be lead by none other than HRH The Crown Prince. I look forward to it.
Talk to you soon.
Hi Suhail,
Some interesting points well put.
However, you state: “but when it’s made by a Prime Minister for example, it becomes a declaration, and can cause serious tension.” How about the famous quote, 15 years ago, from the current incumbent, that “There’s no such thing as an hilal dog.”
Why is there so little acknowledgement of the massive elephant in the room, house and island. The falcons are in charge and they are not going to let the CP, or the King, lead anything.
Best,
M.
Great artice suhail,well written and balanced.
Agree with you about the education system and for the continued proceess of reform.
Well done.
what a joke
Couldn’t agree more with you! I’m not sure about the dialogue thing though. Will extremists answer the call again?! I’m inclined to say I don’t think so.
I’m sorry Suhail, I respect your personal thoughts and u have the right to express them the way u like. But my personal thoughts are, this is an article that is Shame on liberal “thinker” to write. Shame on a liberal man living the 21st century. tribes, religion, etc should always come after freedom and human right, end of story.
Dear Suhail
Thank you for the excellent piece. I totally agree with you that the cureent set up is not workable. Using relgion to force people to do things is not the done thing. Therefore, I am against any political party which is based on sects to stand for elections. The current parties (Al Wefaq, Al Menbar Al Asalah) are secterian parties (one side or the other). MPs should represent the people and NOT the sects. Look at Western democracies, say in the UK. You have the Labour and Tory party as well as the Lib Dems. However, these parties are not based on relgious sects, but include various denominations. They represent the PEOPLE not the sects. This is where we are going wrong. We should ban any party that is based on a secterian basis to take part in the elctions. We have to remember that the MPs are LEGISLATORS, they are not relgious leader. If they want to preach then there are different channels for that.
On the issue of voting, I again agree with you. I think that Bahrain should be a single voting district, where a candidate can be voted for regardless of where he/she from by anyone in Bahrain. So, someone from Zallaq can vote for a candidate from Muharraq. After all, these elected MPs are going to serve ALL the people of Bahrain and not just the people of thier area. They will pass and issue laws that serve ALL the people, not laws serving an area. As for individual areas, leave that to the municipal officers that are elected to serve a particualr area. In other words, if I need a road to be repaired in my area, I do not go to the MP, I go to the Municipal officer. However, if I need the law to be changed, say in order to as you said, get the money from Tamkeen to be used for education, then I would go for the MP (regardless which area he comes from).
I have heard that people seek the help of MPs for housing or employment. The MPs should be the first people to stand against such practices (corrpution). Thier job would be to assit with housing and jobs, through passing laws that ensure the right of people to housing and jobs. It is not thier role to find or assist in securig services. Thier role is to ensure legislation that would ensure the rights of people.
Part of learing about democracy and the teaching of respect to others, is the basis for the education system (as well as the home of course). Schools should teach the basis of democracy, which includes respecting others’ believes. To this end, I feel that religion should not be taught at school. Religious studies yes, but not Islamic religion. I am not against Islam, please do not mis understand me, but what if you child is Christian and he attends a Govt school. He will be taught Islam, whcih is not his religion. This is unfair. Someone would say, but he can go to a private Christian school. Yes, but as a Bahraini, he is entilted to state sponsoered education like everyone else. On another point, if my son is Sunni and he is being taught by a Shitte teacher, I might not like that (or vice versa). So, what schools should teach is the various ways that people practice. Le t them know that there are various denominations and explain what they are. We are not trying to have kids graduating with regigious degrees. There are other schools for that. Education should concentrate on what is required for the market. Leave religion for the home to be taught by the parents.
I hope I have not dragged on so much, but I feel that we should be addressing these issues in order that we have a clear way ahead and bebefit from the reforms that His Majesty has offered us.
I am sorry , but you don’t have the right image about what’s happening in Bahrain .. instead of talking about human rights abuses .. teachers arrested .. u talk about education !!
As an expat living in Bahrain I would like to praise you for presenting the topics and allowing an open debate and discussion… This is exactly the way that will help you build a better country for yourselves.
I agree with your suggestion that reform and education must be our priority, but they carry with them some risks.
If run our households democratically and we educate our children to thinking critically, what do we do when they are smart enough to say: “Why are more than half the cabinet positions owned by one family? Why is the one body that we elect the one with the least power, and designed so that its decisions can be overturned by un-elected people? If I’m smart why am I less important than someone who inherits his role? How do we change our system? Why are we the only part of the world with an absolute monarchy?”
Critical analysis is only productive if something can come out of it, but 100,000 smart youngesters with no potential to cause productive change may just lead to frustration. As we have already seen.
So, maybe we have it correct now. Keep our people stupid and the critical thinkers silenced, throw money at the problems and hope they’ll go away, hand over our independence to powerful neighbours, and if it doesn’t work – well, that’s the next generations problem to deal with!
Dear Suhail,
Authoritarianism and continuing to impose tribal government rule is not a solution to fears from political Islam. The key issue in Bahrain in constitutional discord.
I didn’t vote for Wefaq, but Instead of quoting a banner why not look to the policies they proposed in the past four years. Just to name a few proposals (most shot down by government and the undemocratic Shura council):
- Anti-discrimination laws (translating Bahrain’s international commitments into local law)
- Additional transparency and supervisory powers to monitor government finances and budget.
- Constitutional reform that would make Bahrain more democratic & more representative of the will of the people
These policies have nothing to do with sectarianism. There are things like a unified family law that we have to tackle as a society and were we will clash with the various religious establishments, but this is something we need to deal with politically and democratically. Ironically, the anti-discrimination laws that Wefaq had proposed would have provided us with a better legal basis to fight for these rights on!
Also, a more democratic parliamentary system would involved political compromise in order to garner support for legislation to be passed as the MPs would act more as legislators than activists (their current role as they can never aspire to be part of a coalition government in the current system). This applies very much so to the smaller parties.
People who are anti-democracy in Bahrain always highlight the majority rule aspect, but neglect to note the Madisonian aspects of democracy, i.e. protection of individual human rights and civil liberties.
The concept that a representative constitutional assembly and separating the judiciary from the executive and legislative powers would ensure that those rights are more protected than in the current system. Limiting the need and incentive for identity politics and protecting citizen’s rights. This isn’t idealism. It is the legal and institutional framework that allows the constitutional rights to supersede MP’s will and government control. i.e. a bill of rights that is above what the MP’s or government can change easily.
Furthermore a democratic Bahrain would allow us more civil means of pursuing change through a free press, civil activism and the ability to organise freely for causes and influence parliamentary politics and public opinion.
I could go on and on. The fact is that this current system, may work for you, but it does not for a large part of our population.
Your comment about the GCC being immune to political reform is misleading. Just because authoritarianism in the GCC is strong, doesn’t mean it is right or that it works. Oman and Kuwait are examples of our GCC brothers who are seeking their civil rights. Never-mind the brave women of Saudi who have taken to driving their cars and many of the men and intellectuals there as well.
Best regards,
Isa
With all respect, you shall never support it, because Bahrain will never be ready as long as we have people thinking like you.
Do you think all the democratic nations were fully ready when they started. Of course they where not, if people don’t live it and experience it they will never be ready to practice democracy. Also, if your afraid that an unworthy person may present Bahrain according to you (Ali Salman) or which is much worst (Jassim Alsaeedy or Mohamed Khalid), I think let it be if a person who is not worth the place he won’t be able to keep it. Becuase simply he/she won’t be elected again. But at least people will have the power to change him. Having a democratic system is the best method to solve corruption, did you ask your self why corruption in Bahrain is so bad? I’ll answer you because those in power now knows for a fact they won’t be questioned for their corruption and thefts. Where in a democratic system in which there’s a control on what’s going on in governments those people will think 100 million times before doing such actions.
Give bahrainis the democracy they are welling to die for. Let them do mistakes, why not!!. But at the end it will have benefit on all the nation and the coming generations.
What I am going to say right now might come out as if I am attacking Suhail or offending him but the reality is that I still have so much respect for him.
Suhail is a beneficiary of the current system. So are many people, for example the Al-Fateh crowd. Also keep in mind that Suhail is originally from one of the most undemocratic countries in the world, Big brother and the killer/murderer of the Arab Spring; KSA!!!! That explains why he is so anti-democracy. Yes, I do understand that he did not grow up in KSA, but he was raised in a Saudi family and generally speaking, they are brought up to respect the unelected and undemocratic self proclaimed kings. Therefore, I personally find it quiet offensive that you consider yourself to be a “Liberal.” It is quiet offensive for all liberals I must say.
Now lets get down to the real deal! Isa has covered most of the point I wanted to discuss but I still want to add a few points.
1) Al-Wefaq, although “sectarian,” are the only political party that have pushed for real democratic legislations that were going to benefit everyone. Obviously, they were rejected the unelected government and the other extremists in the parliament. Read newspaper articles from the pro-government newspapers such as the GDN and Tribune to understand the degree of the positive changes they have always pushed for and of course for you to believe me as well.
2) The beauty of democracy is that people learn from their mistakes. If the “uneducated” people voted for someone based on sect or religion, and that person turned out to be bad, they will only have to deal with him/her for four years. They will also learn not to repeat the same mistake again next time there are elections.
3) I use to think people in Bahrain were uneducated until I visited the Pearl Roundabout. I was amazed and surprised at the vast degrees of knowledge that some of these poor protesters (whom I misjudged all my life) had. They knew a lot about Bahrain’s history, from the 1920s all the way till today. They were experts in IT related things. They were good technicians when it came to electricity, motors etc. I was also surprised when I met someone who looked like he dropped out of school at the age of 12 (because of the way he spoke and dressed) was studying to become a doctor. He told me that he will graduate in two years. I really want to apologize for being the snobby, upper middle class judgmental brat that I was. That was one of the most important things I learnt from the roundabout. So shame on Bahrainis that underestimate their own people and that say there are many uneducated people in Bahrain therefore they will vote for extremists
A proper education system comes after a real democracy. Its not the other way around. When you have a democracy, student will be taught to appreciate democratic values. They will also be taught to affiliate themselves with democratic figures therefore electing or choosing people that coincide with their democratic values. The current education system we have teaches you to only “love” you king. Be loyal to your king, his family and his way of government. Obviously it does not work with everyone but unfortunately it does work on some people. In other words, kids are not given the chance to become free thinkers. In a democracy, they will.
This is to all the people that love the royal family. If you really want them to survive and stay “royal,” then you have to agree on a constitutional monarchy. That is the only way they’ll survive. Fifty years from now, there will be no oil, there will be no begging for money from Saudi like the beggars we currently are. The government will not be able to satisfy their people with money, therefore there is a greater chance that they will fall. The only way for them to survive in the long run is to give some power to the people
What Bahrain needs is political parties that represent the interests of the middle classes of Bahrain. These will cut across sectarian divides and address issues that effect all Bahrainis. The fact is the government doesn’t want this as it makes them less relevant.
I think that Bahrain isn’t ready for democracy is simply not true. It’s ready, but the middles class needs to start becoming politically active. I also think Bahrain should introduce taxation. Once people start paying taxes, they will become far more invested in the political process.
I think only reason bahrain doesn’t have tax is because that people will demand to have representation. It’s not out of some benevolent reason.
Recent events have shown there is ZERO interest in political reform on the side of the government. It’s time to move into the 21st century!
AC: an example of a political party that cuts across sectarian lines and represents middle class Bahrainis is Waad. Read about their history and their formation over 50 years ago. Also read about A. Rahman al Neimi who was the general of the party before Ebrahim Sharif. If there wasn’t electoral gerrymandering in Bahrain, secular and modern political parties such as Waad will have the chance to shine and thrive
Suhail, do you know much about politics and how a democracy works? I honestly believe you don’t but I could be wrong. If I am wrong, prove me wrong. Have you ever heard of the separation and independence of judicial, executive and legislative governments and their role in protecting minorities such as the Sunnis, Jews and Christians in Bahrain?
Also, Don’t you think that if we continue to live under absolute, tribal rule, the absolute monarch will not want to educate kids in school to appreciate democratic values? Put yourself in his shoes. His main argument will be, “if I allow these kids to learn about democracy and the benefits of democracy and the benefits of choosing leaders not based on sects, these kids will one day grow up to want to have the same values in Bahrain.” One of the commentators on this post said democracy comes first and democracy orientated educational system comes next. I agree with him/her 100%
I have a question for whomever wrote this disgraceful article. What makes you think that Sh. Ali Salman wants to be a PM? Its a baseless and uneducated assumption based on the extreme case of paranoia the author of this article has. All 7 political societies were in talks and planning to support Ali Fakhro who happens to be an ex Minister, also happens to be a Sunni and who also opposes some aspects of the current government. Ali Fakhro is well knows, has many connections throughout the Middle East, well educated (PhD) and has done a lot for this country in the past. Far way more skillful than the ancient fossil prime minister we have. I suggest you search for Ali Fakhro on youtube.com and watch the speeches he gave at the Pearl Roundabout. There was also a speech given by someone from Wefaq and Muneera Fakhro talking about the eligibility of having Ali Fakhro as a possible candidate for the PM position. Not sure if thats on youtube though but it most likely is
Dear Suhail,
Theoratically, I totally agree with your proposals. However, I have many comments. I will put one only. History tells us that politicians in these scenarios tend to use divide and concur approach against development and “evolutionary democracy”. I mean no one would listen to your thoughtful suggestion, instead they will leave the situation to be worst.
We can reevaluate after five years and see.
Best wishes
Laize nailed it for me – it’s so obvious that to me Suhail it’s more the case that you don’t actually want it to be so than it can’t be so.
I just hope that a solution can be found that everyone (or the majority of people) are happy with so we can all move on and enjoy Bahrain once again. It’s a great place, the best in the Gulf by a country mile and Bahraini’s are lovely, warm hearted people.
It doesn’t need to be this way…..
You say we are not ready and we are not mature enough to have democracy in Bahrain. Please do share with us when you believe we will be ready. The advent of democracy is never pretty. There is no such thing as an easy transition. All transitions from monarchies to democracies throughout the world have been messy (i.e. USA, France, UK, etc.) But in the end of the day, when democracy takes hold and flourishes in a state, it is for the best because the foundation of a democratic state is first and foremost about fulfilling the aspirations of the people living in the state. Democracy is about liberty, freedom, and dignity. Democracy ensures that a citizen of a country is not a mere subject of a royal crown but rather an active participant in government and the direction of his or her future; whereas ultimately the foundation of a monarchy is to consolidate the royal family’s rule and only concede concessions necessary for the appeasement of a portion of the people.
Democracy Is a Verb
——————-
Great article and most of your points resonate with my views. Here are some of my thoughts on the subject of democracy which your readers might find interesting:
Democracy is like a carrot juicer. One should not use bad quality carrots and expect good quality juice. Democracy doesn’t work that way. Democracy is a mechanical system, it doesn’t have a conscience of its own. Leader of the thieves is the biggest thieve. So if we let a group of thieves democratically elect their representative, that representative cannot turn out to be a saint just because he was elected democratically. He ought to be a thieve too. So all those who think that democracy can change the destiny of a country over night (or even in 100 years) are sadly mistaken. Democracy is a process, not an event.
Heba wrote, “Democracy is about liberty, freedom, and dignity”. Not exactly. Democracy is about letting people choose their ruler, from among themselves. Think leader-of-thieves analogy I pointed above.
There are certain third world countries which are purely democratic. Yet corruption is all time high in those countries. So is that a failure of democracy? Nop. Democracy is a mechanical machine (carrot juicer), it doesn’t know what’s right and what’s wrong. But if you feed it bad quality input, the output will definitely not be up to standards.
So democracy is simply this : Input = Output
Think about soaking a towel in dirty muddy water. Now squeeze this towel with your hands. What do you get? Clean drinking water? Not even in a hundred years. The reason democracy worked in west (democracy always works, more about this in a moment) is not necessarily because of time lapse, there is something else at play.
And that something else is: Education. Leader of an educated lot will also be educated. (good quality carrots = good quality carrot juice)
Democracy, as a ruthless emotionless mechanical system, always works. You let someone vote and they WILL vote. That’s what democracy is: The act of freely casting your vote. Democracy is a verb!
So there’s no question of whether democracy works or not. The question is, does democracy lead to “liberty, freedom and dignity”? Only if our people are educated. So we should be working on educating our people, not on imposing democracy thinking that somehow miraculously democracy will lead us to freedom and dignity. We should be educating our children. We should be educating them about democracy. We should be educating them about open mindedness, about critical thinking, about unity, about peace.
So What I am trying to suggest is a paradigm shift. Democracy goes way beyond the majority-minority issue. Think of it as a system, a process. This process will only work in our favor if we focus on education. Otherwise, democracy will still work, except that it won’t be in mankind’s favor, it will lead to chaos and corruption.
Regards
For a dialogue to work there must be TWO sids participating not just one.
and 2 b honest,,1st things 1st.
Freedom comes first, then everything else.