The still evolving situation in Tunisia that saw President Zine-el-Abidine Ben Ali flee the country after a popular uprising precipitated by an act of self immolation and driven by angry young Tunisians, is put in perspective.
The happenings in Tunisia have resulted in copy cat acts of self immolation and subsequent street protests in other parts of the Arab world.. from Algeria to Jordan and Yemen. Yesterday Egypt was rocked by violent street protests from Cairo to Suez, Al Arish and Mansour...
The rest of the world is watching on in at times nervous anticipation and it is difficult at this stage to predict what these protests would mean for the regions autocrats and for that matter, peace on the streets.
As surely the uncertainty, so also the need for a bit of contemplation..
A critical question worth seeking an answer to is: At what point in the course of a relationship between leader and led, does a leader begin to feel detached from the people he or she leads?.. A detachment that breeds an 'insulation' from the everyday basic concerns of the led and a bristling, even violent crack down, at any suggestions that perhaps things should be done differently? All this, whilst amassing stupendous wealth.. far more riches than is needed or indeed deserved..
The answer to this question could be due to several factors and perhaps one common denominator..A complacent and unquestioning population.
A complacent and unquestioning population is fodder for dictators. It is perhaps the paramount fuel that feeds corruption and tyranny.
Friday 28 January 2011
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