Arab spring: An ongoing sequence of events.

Roughly over a year ago we witnessed the beginning of the sequence of events which were to be known as the Arab spring. We must be clear of the fact that this event is still ongoing at this moment (i.e. Syria in the form of an attempt revolution). There are no data of results of these events yet – there won’t be an answer any time soon for the most essential question of all: Were the sacrifices in life in vain in the strife for democracy?

Symbol of sacrifice and despair.

- We do not yet know if the consolidation of democracy will be successful.

Just a few challenges on the road to democracy in the after math of a transitional process:

For a matter of fact we do not even know whether the consolidation processes have actually begun in all of the involved countries. Or whether, if, there are ongoing processes whether they’ll manage to consolidate. It is no easy task to engineer a country’s constitution. There are not even guarantees that the power holders are willing to give up their power (whoever they may be). Constitutional engineering requires throughout think through. It is not good enough to create a new state with a set of institutions. These institutions have to be able to be able to survive the test of time. The constitutional engineers must be able to identify the social cleavages. Whether they be economical, cultural - ethnic all sort of fragmentation which may affect the legitimacy of the state. Is the state large and thus in a need of a more regional orientated governance? Opting for presidentialism or parliamentarism? Proportional or majoritarian electoral system? There all these vast and fundamental questions. Newly found states must have the constitutional know how to create a dynamic state system which will be able to stand the test of time. When it comes to constitutional engineering the know how of how to create a functional state becomes increasingly essential. Mistakes could be fatal for the whole statehood and its legitimacy. Hopefully these revolutionaries have the right consultants working vigorously for the democratic dream. Creating a new constitution is like looking at a complex mosaic (society) and then trying to interpret the patterns and fit those patterns into different theoretical models.

Finally I would like to lift up Bahrain in the Arab spring, through the documentary:

Shouting in the dark:

I would also like to pay tribute to Al Jazeera’s heroic journalists. It’s humbling to see such brave, dedicated, journalists in the middle of war mayhem reporting to the world. These journalists work in such conditions which are immensely dangerous. Not only do they have to and avoid bullets, but also live in constant fear of being captured. They truly work as the eyes and ears of the world in these conflict areas.

- All journalists risking their lives are equally worth the credit; however the reportage by Al Jazeera has been absolutely phenomenal in the Arab spring.