Let's buy democracy
Issandr El AmraniA high-powered delegation of U.S. officials visited Cairo last month to find ways to support the revolution. They, along with diplomatic and development officials, have been working quietly, meeting with residents, activists and the leadership, and asking how best to spend the $150 million that Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton has said would soon be available to help shore up the economy and provide technical assistance in the move toward democracy.
By the time the U.S. delegation departed, no Egyptian pro-democracy organizations had asked for assistance.
No doubt in due time they'll find the usual opportunistic organizations that only exist because aid has been earmarked to suck at their teat. But I find nothing more sordid than the idea of "political party development" — if a political movement is not organized enough to launch a party, of which there have been plenty in Egypt's history, then it does not deserve to be a party. Let it fail, others will succeed. If any aid has to be accepted, I'd much rather see it go to a NGO dedicated to collecting, assessing and conserving State Security documents (and linking them with US ones through Freedom of Information requests.)
In the meantime aid money is much better spent on restoring the world's support in the economies of Egypt and Tunisia — guaranteeing loans, working on improving risk ratings, etc.
Reader Comments (13)
Here's an idea:
http://www.economist.com/node/16693323
http://opinionator.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/01/03/to-beat-back-poverty-pay-the-poor/
I am afraid to speak what I feel
The groups in Egypt who are being approached this way could suggest that these US taxpayer funds be given to the organizations in Wisconsin that are trying to retain they're constitutional rights.
"But I find nothing more sordid than the idea of "political party development" — if a political movement is not organized enough to launch a party, of which there have been plenty in Egypt's history, then it does not deserve to be a party."
There's also the fact that this is brazen foreign interference in Egypt's affairs, and has nothing to do with democracy.
I doubt the US government would take kindly to Saudi Arabia directly paying the Republican Party hundreds of millions of dollars in political aid because they trust them more than Obama.
Totally agree with you, Egyptian.
Oh come on Issandr, you know as well as anyone that it takes money to set up a party organization, and funding parties at this point actually helps those who do NOT have the NDP's long history and deep pockets (or the pockets/organization of the Brothers). That's a good thing, IMHO, given how short the time frame is for the parliamentary elections. Not saying there isn't a chance of creating cartel parties sucking at the USAID's teat, but if done right, is a tremendous good.
The truth about American foreign aid is explained here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yTbdnNgqfs8
SP, I don't see how any country could allow foreign funding of political parties, which is not what USAID does anyway - that's CIA's job. USAID political training provides classes on organization and candidate training. Numerically speaking, I think among the biggest beneficiaries in Egypt were from the NDP. It's a waste of American taxpayers' money, as the latest USAID inspector general's report on democracy promotion programs in Egypt showed. Much better to put that money into maternal health programs or economic policy support.
There may be an argument to be made that the state should fund political parties, as happens in many countries. But even then you have to get meet baseline requirements. If emerging politicians can't find people to get them a meeting room so they can strategize, they probably shouldn't form their own parties.
maybe they could use the money to start a democracy movement against themselves. free and fair multiparty elections. offering training sessions for lobbies in how to give up all their earthly possessions. merging usaid with the spy museum. there's a lot of helpful stuff they could do.
This is one of those rare moments when I disagree with Issandr. Party development, for the record, has nothing to do with funding foreign political parties.
I have written a full response here:
http://aljawaala.blogspot.com/2011/03/response-to-issandr-el-amrani.html
AN, thanks for taking the time to respond but I know that political party development is not funding - if you look at the comment in answer to SP, I note that. In terms of organizations "that will such at the teat" of US funding, I was not referring to parties but to democracy NGOs.
Does anyone not see the problem is with the concept of democracy in itself? As a UK resident for the past 20 years, I continually witness the pursuit of the supposed sublime values of freedom and democracy by the general public to create a better life for themselves and their children whilst the ruling elite siphon off the wealth for their own corrupt ends. I argue that the illusions of freedom and democracy are an opium of the masses that has very little to do with a progressive way of life.
For example, whilst the youth and the general population of the UK struggle to find jobs and are told to work hard and your efforts will reap its rewards, the Queen's office called on behalf of David Cameron when he applied for his first internship when he left Cambridge University. When he decided to work outside politics for awhile, his then girlfriend's mother's business partner (or something like that) was close friends with the then Head of ITV and he, DC, was offered a £90,000 job at the age of 26! Now, does that sound familiar?
Or what about the on going saga of MPs' expenses, MP's charging the taxpayer (who have work very hard to feed their families) for personal TVs, pornographic films etc.
The greatest lie the West told the World was that their 'success' was based on the their pursuit of freedom and democracy. In actuality, it was their recognition of the need to make advancements in Science and Technology that they witnessed in the Muslim world at the time (see Riccoldo's predicament). Hence they relinquished the obstacle ie the church, created a defeatist mindset amongst the Muslims and made them pursue a lie. And we continue to do so!
The remark distinguishing between political party development and funding was in response to one of the other commenters, who did make that mistake (I believe you actually correct him too). Thanks for responding.