The Arab Spring is Fall-ing

     In the spring, everyone (who pays any attention to the world) was excited about the Arab Spring. But there were those who were skeptical about its chances of success. In Egypt's drive to Democracy, there is much cause for worry. Turnout for the last election was only 6.5%; transitional cabinets have done too little to reform and guide Egypt. The interim military leadership has been ambiguous and violent. Women have been sidelined. Egypt's first president will be a man, without doubt. But the major problem is that he will not have any defined powers, or a definite job, until Egypt can put together a constitution. Only now is Parliament starting to address this problem. There is debate over who should write the constitution. Ultra-conservatives currently control the Parliament. One popular presidential candidate is anti-Israel and anti-Christian, but could gain the backing of much of the Muslim Brotherhood and Egyptian military. The number of people contemplating running exceeds that of the American Republicans at the beginning of their election season. Almost all the candidates, and all the popular ones, are going to be fiercely conservative. Egypt has many problems, and is nowhere close to figuring out its democratic system.

"Wanted: Maybe a President?" The Economist 10 Mar. 12: 58-59. 10 Mar. 2012. Print.