|
SEIZING THE POLITICAL MOMENT
When things move fast, it’s easy to lose perspective. That’s why I keep returning to Egypt’s economic reform for insights as to how political reform is faring, and there are in fact many parallels. Economic reform, as we’ve learned, is long and hard and the results don’t show overnight. It’s the outcome of a series of tough decisions requiring commitment and follow-through. You’ll make mistakes, but if your goals are clear and you stay the course, the tide starts to turn. Things get a little easier because there’s less resistance. We’re at that stage of greater momentum now, thanks to government commitment and public participation.
Twenty years ago, a private sector driven economy seemed like a pipe dream. Because of the prevailing socialist, centralist mentality the private sector was looked upon with suspicion by government and public alike. It required a quantum shift, not only in administrative direction, but in the mindset of the people pursuing it to get things off the ground.
Advocates had to convince government that the private sector should take over the tools of economic production, a notion that was, in many economic sectors, strictly taboo. In those days, issues of security and social concerns were a major barrier to private enterprise, especially when it came to investments in utilities, airports, seaports and infrastructure, all of which were state-controlled. But necessity, in the form of accelerated globalization and Egypt’s developmental needs, imposed itself. Change was inevitable.
Subsequent years have seen bold policy-making decisions. Not everything was done right the first time, but we learned along the way. Eventually, we won the confidence of the business community. But more importantly, economic reform is winning people’s confidence, as demonstrated by the substantial increase in individual tax filings and collections this year. A new social contract between people and the state is emerging alongside a new constituency, one whose interests are served by economic reform measures.
The situation with political reform is strikingly similar: heavy resistance, missteps and steps forward, and the need to change a mindset that is deeply entrenched. We’re not talking about a few new policies or laws but an entirely new political system supported by a complex legislative structure. This will surely take time, effort and commitment exceeding that of economic reform. Multiparty elections, constitutional amendments and public dissent – these were the pipe dreams of political reform advocates not long ago, yet the taboos preventing them have finally been broken.
For the first time in our history, government is willing to set limits to the power of the executive branch while resetting parameters for legislative and judicial independence. This strengthens the principle of the separation of powers. We now have a public consensus demanding these democratizing changes. There’s too much at stake to engage in squabbles and heavy handed scrimmages. In transitional moments like these, mistakes will happen, but it’s pointless to open more fronts of dispute. The voice of reason says we have an unprecedented opportunity before us; let’s not lose sight of our goals. The only way we’ll accomplish them is if wisdom, calm and order prevail.
We’re facing socially sensitive and technically challenging tasks, requiring all the intellectual capital Egypt possesses. It’s time for thinkers, constitutional lawyers and opposition party leaders to table well-thought out proposals, developing their visions and basing their recommendations on sound arguments. And it’s time for government to review this input with an open mind. A political vacuum does exist, making the emergence of strong leadership essential. Political reform should be a transparent process, open to national debate. Our problems are solvable, but if misunderstandings accumulate, we will create an avalanche of distractions and difficulties.
As Egypt reinvents its political system it needs public participation and support. A show of good faith, particularly when it comes to respecting personal freedoms, is in order. On the other hand, all parties – whether dissenting press or protestors – need to act responsibly. We can work to replace the Emergency Law well in advance of the two-year extension, while concentrating on the larger scheme of constitutional revision.
We can draft election laws that promote party politics. We can create an open and transparent society through a new freedom of information act and balanced press laws.
Once again, we’re forging a new social contract that requires the trust of all parties.
Let’s focus on the opportunities inherent in this dynamic moment. Egypt has such great potential, especially following 20 years of painstaking economic reform, so let’s not blow it. Political reform is a serious, far-reaching matter. We have to give it our all. Change is inevitable, but it’s up to all of us to make it constructive.
TAHER HELMY
President, AmCham Egypt
Submit
your comment
Top
|
