By using this site, you agree to the Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.
Accept
DailynewsegyptDailynewsegypt
  • Home
  • Business
    BusinessShow More
    As Egypt decides to establish tourist chambers, federation, what is in it for tourism industry?
    As Egypt decides to establish tourist chambers, federation, what is in it for tourism industry?
    June 6, 2023
    FRA extends deadline for electing Egyptian federation for securities’ board for 3 months
    FRA extends deadline for electing Egyptian federation for securities’ board for 3 months
    June 6, 2023
    New MoU signed to develop SMEs in industrial zone in East Port Said
    New MoU signed to develop SMEs in industrial zone in East Port Said
    June 6, 2023
    CI Capital records revenues of EGP 1.6bn in 1Q 2023
    CI Capital records revenues of EGP 1.6bn in 1Q 2023
    June 6, 2023
    International Conference of Institute of National Planning discusses various types of governance
    International Conference of Institute of National Planning discusses various types of governance
    June 6, 2023
  • Politics
    PoliticsShow More
    Arab League calls on Security Council to shoulder its responsibilities, oblige Israel to end occupation
    Arab League calls on Security Council to shoulder its responsibilities, oblige Israel to end occupation
    June 5, 2023
    Institute of Diplomatic Studies holds training course for diplomats from South Sudan
    Institute of Diplomatic Studies holds training course for diplomats from South Sudan
    June 5, 2023
    Al-Sisi participates in African meeting on mediation in Russian-Ukrainian crisis
    Al-Sisi participates in African meeting on mediation in Russian-Ukrainian crisis
    June 5, 2023
    Washington, Riyadh call for new ceasefire agreement in Sudan
    Washington, Riyadh call for new ceasefire agreement in Sudan
    June 5, 2023
    Ugandan president says 54 peacekeepers killed in Somalia deadly attack
    Ugandan president says 54 peacekeepers killed in Somalia deadly attack
    June 5, 2023
  • Interviews
    InterviewsShow More
    EFG Finance to launch unified platform gathering all its financing services: Alaa Al-Afifi
    EFG Finance to launch unified platform gathering all its financing services: Alaa Al-Afifi
    May 31, 2023
    I changed my artistic path to create ‘state of wonder’: Tarek Lotfi
    I changed my artistic path to create ‘state of wonder’: Tarek Lotfi
    May 25, 2023
    I adore Ramadan drama, ‘Telt Al-Talata’ series achieved great success: Ghada Abdel Razek
    I adore Ramadan drama, ‘Telt Al-Talata’ series achieved great success: Ghada Abdel Razek
    May 8, 2023
    We aim to establish Egypt as nearshore centre for Software AG for MET region: Rami Kichli
    We aim to establish Egypt as nearshore centre for Software AG for MET region: Rami Kichli
    April 29, 2023
    Egypt-Spain relations witness remarkable development in recent years: Spanish ambassador in Cairo
    Egypt-Spain relations witness remarkable development in recent years: Spanish ambassador in Cairo
    April 18, 2023
  • Culture
  • Opinion
  • Sports
  • Lifestyle
Reading: Democracy and modernisation are universal values, not western products
Share
Notification
Latest News
As Egypt decides to establish tourist chambers, federation, what is in it for tourism industry?
As Egypt decides to establish tourist chambers, federation, what is in it for tourism industry?
Tourism
FRA extends deadline for electing Egyptian federation for securities’ board for 3 months
FRA extends deadline for electing Egyptian federation for securities’ board for 3 months
Business
New MoU signed to develop SMEs in industrial zone in East Port Said
New MoU signed to develop SMEs in industrial zone in East Port Said
Business
CI Capital records revenues of EGP 1.6bn in 1Q 2023
CI Capital records revenues of EGP 1.6bn in 1Q 2023
Business
International Conference of Institute of National Planning discusses various types of governance
International Conference of Institute of National Planning discusses various types of governance
Business
Aa
Aa
DailynewsegyptDailynewsegypt
  • Home
  • Business
  • Politics
  • Interviews
  • Culture
  • Opinion
  • Sports
  • Lifestyle
  • Home
  • Business
  • Politics
  • Interviews
  • Culture
  • Opinion
  • Sports
  • Lifestyle
Have an existing account? Sign In
Follow US
  • Advertise
© 2023 DNE News. All Rights Reserved.
Dailynewsegypt > Blog > Opinion > Democracy and modernisation are universal values, not western products
Opinion

Democracy and modernisation are universal values, not western products

Daily News Egypt
Last updated: 2014/06/02 at 3:08 PM
By Daily News Egypt 6 Min Read
Share
Mohammed Nosseir
SHARE
Mohammed Nosseir
Mohammed Nosseir

By Mohammed Nosseir

Democracy and modernisation are not western products that the west is trying to export to certain countries that have a shortage. They are universal values that, for many reasons, the west was able to espouse and implement before other countries. Among these reasons was a particular mix of culture, law and leadership that helped the western countries to be in advance of others (such as Arab World) in the application of democracy and modernisation. Although this does not necessarily mean that all westerners abide by these values, western citizens, for the most part, have come to realise that these values serve the good of society and promote personal development.

The Arab World has long been resisting the genuine implementation of democracy and modernisation. For centuries, autocracy and cultural and regional wars have created a mental blockage preventing people in this region from understanding and digesting these values and how they can help them to progress. The lack of harmony between appreciating these values and the daily struggles against the factors mentioned above prevented democracy and modernisation from reaching the region; the west was accused of exporting certain values that are not keeping with the cultural and the religious values of the Arab world, for the purpose of westernising the Arab populations.

In my opinion, these values are not tradable; they are adoptable by any society that reaches the necessary maturity level. This also explains why youngsters, who are more exposed and broad-minded, tend to digest these values much faster than do older generations.

In reality, older Arabs are the ones who are resisting the implementation of democracy and modernisation, as this could place them in inferior positions to the younger generations. Youngsters are ready and willing to espouse and apply democracy and modernisation, but they are facing stubborn resistance from those in power, who accuse the younger generation of being “westernised”. This struggle is not limited to the Arab World; it is probably taking place in some other Asian and African nations as well.

Wealthy Arabs are often fond of the latest technologies. They possess the most up-to-date gadgets, which they use on a daily basis at home, at work and while commuting. Nevertheless, the fact that they are surrounded by these technologies, has never led them to pose the question of why the Americans, Europeans and Japanese were able to invent them, while we, the Arabs, are only good consumers. The Arabs, who are in many cases the largest customer group, have never been producers. The reason for this discrepancy is simply the absence of a proper application of democracy and modernisation.

Democracy and modernisation are interlinked! Modernisation requires developing a structured scientific environment that helps people to innovate and eventually benefits society. You can’t innovate and modernise a society without ensuring freedom of expression, which allows people to challenge the status quo, without applying the rule of law that guarantees that justice is applied and protects innovation, without encouraging free trade to obtain the latest products and up-to-date technology, to be used as a basis for further development. Without a strong belief in, and proper implementation of, these factors, we will not adopt the universal values of democracy and modernisation.

Religion can play a strong role in helping people to better understand and apply democracy and modernisation and to appreciate their purpose and value – this will require citizens to fully understand the religion in its contexts and contents that obviously do not conflict with democracy and modernisation as a value. Seeing only the downside of democracy and modernisation is the fault of the receivers of these values and their poor application of them. It has nothing to do with the values themselves. However, enclosing citizens within a tightly religious environment restricts individuals from realising their capacity to create and innovate. Actually, the purpose of this type of enclosing, or labelling, is to realise political goals by managing and controlling citizens and immobilising their power to think, innovate and act freely.

To enable the Arabs to enjoy the maximum benefits of democracy and modernisation, it is critical that citizens be empowered with more freedom, allowing them to produce out-of-the box ideas and to structure their governments to incorporate these ideas. People need to have a liberal mindset to be able to innovate. Basically, widening citizens’ personal “broadband” enables them to receive more knowledge concerning these values. To properly implement these values societies and nations need to be more socially and politically mature, with a wide educational spectrum. Enclosing the minds of Arabs, still happening at this moment, won’t help this part of the world to progress towards the universal values of democracy and modernisation.

 

Mohammed Nosseir is an Egyptian Liberal Politician working on reforming Egypt on true liberal values, proper application of democracy and free market economy. Mohammed was member of the Higher Committee, Headed the International Relations of the Democratic Front Party from 2008 to 2012.

You Might Also Like

Egypt and France discuss joint cooperation in the health sector 

Opinion| Russia and China promote stability in the Middle East after the US withdrawal from the region

Opinion| The American debt crisis and the 2024 elections

Opinion| Tips for startups operating in the tough environment of emerging markets

Egypt, Italy discuss joint cooperation in environment

TAGGED: americans, arab, Daily News Egypt, democracy, DNE, Egypt, Europeans, Japanese, modernisation, opinion
Share this Article
Facebook Twitter Email Print
Previous Article Egyptian satirical programme permanently shut down
Next Article Climate change, diminishing of conventional energy, and economy growth
1 Comment

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Ad image
Ad image

Stay Connected

Facebook Like
Twitter Follow
Instagram Follow
Youtube Subscribe

Latest News

As Egypt decides to establish tourist chambers, federation, what is in it for tourism industry?
As Egypt decides to establish tourist chambers, federation, what is in it for tourism industry?
Tourism
FRA extends deadline for electing Egyptian federation for securities’ board for 3 months
FRA extends deadline for electing Egyptian federation for securities’ board for 3 months
Business
New MoU signed to develop SMEs in industrial zone in East Port Said
New MoU signed to develop SMEs in industrial zone in East Port Said
Business
CI Capital records revenues of EGP 1.6bn in 1Q 2023
CI Capital records revenues of EGP 1.6bn in 1Q 2023
Business
//
Egypt’s only independent daily newspaper in English. Discuss the country’s latest with the paper’s reporters, editors, and other readers.

Quick Link

  • Home
  • Business
  • Politics
  • Interviews
  • Culture
  • Opinion
  • Sports
  • Lifestyle

Sign Up for Our Newsletter

Subscribe to our newsletter to get our newest articles instantly!

© 2023 DNE News. All Rights Reserved.

Join Us!

Subscribe to our newsletter and never miss our latest news, podcasts etc..

Zero spam, Unsubscribe at any time.

Removed from reading list

Undo
Welcome Back!

Sign in to your account

Lost your password?