We’ve lived so long under the spell of hierarchy—from god-kings to feudal lords to party bosses—that only recently have we awakened to see not only that “regular” citizens have the capacity for self-governance, but that without their engagement our huge global crises cannot be addressed. The changes needed for human society simply to survive, let alone thrive, are so profound that the only way we will move toward them is if we ourselves, regular citizens, feel meaningful ownership of solutions through direct engagement. Our problems are too big, interrelated, and pervasive to yield to directives from on high.
—Frances Moore Lappé, excerpt from Time for Progressives to Grow Up

Wednesday, January 25, 2012

Arab Spring Gives Way to Military Chill

Click here to access article by Cam McGrath from IPS. 
When Egypt’s dictator was ousted during a popular uprising last February, the military leaders who assumed control of the country pledged to "protect the revolution" and ensure a swift transition to civilian rule within six months. One year later, the ruling generals appear to have hijacked the transition to preserve the military institution’s economic autonomy and secure their own political future.
The current news article regarding military rule in Egypt confirms in a superficial way what I warned about almost a year ago (see this). The brave Egyptians rid themselves of a corrupt, brutal dictator, but not the class that rules the country. Unfortunately, this military class is firmly attached to the Empire and will be much more difficult to remove. It seems to me that it will take a worldwide resolve to eliminate the root of the Empire's power--the system of capitalism--to free people everywhere from the effects of this system--wars, poverty, unemployment, environmental degradation, etc.

Meanwhile, the brave Egyptians are returning to Tahrir Square by the thousands.