Comments on: The Monarchical Democracy of Lebanon http://arabcomment.com/2009/the-monarchical-democracy-of-lebanon/ where the Arab world thinks out loud Wed, 16 Jun 2010 15:56:58 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0.1 By: Mohamad Itani http://arabcomment.com/2009/the-monarchical-democracy-of-lebanon/comment-page-1/#comment-1688 Mohamad Itani Sun, 17 May 2009 08:50:36 +0000 http://arabcomment.com/?p=557#comment-1688 I enjoyed reading this article as it vividly describes the political scene around the elections in Lebanon. Regrettably, the people who will be elected to the new parliament will try hard to have the 2013 election law tailored to only fit them, their relatives and associates. However, one should take heart from the Obama story. Had it not been for the previous administration causing so much damage, Obama’s call for change would have been fainter and less effective. Is there a Lebanese Obama in the making? I enjoyed reading this article as it vividly describes the political scene around the elections in Lebanon.

Regrettably, the people who will be elected to the new parliament will try hard to have the 2013 election law tailored to only fit them, their relatives and associates.
However, one should take heart from the Obama story. Had it not been for the previous administration causing so much damage, Obama’s call for change would have been fainter and less effective.

Is there a Lebanese Obama in the making?

]]> By: Dima Sari http://arabcomment.com/2009/the-monarchical-democracy-of-lebanon/comment-page-1/#comment-1675 Dima Sari Sun, 10 May 2009 11:28:30 +0000 http://arabcomment.com/?p=557#comment-1675 I do agree Jack that family influence is a normal phenomenon in democracies everywhere. However, we believe that such influence takes new dimensions in Lebanon as both the electors and the representatives seem unable to move away from the traditional family circles. Our article aimed to analyze the choice of the electors: Why is it that a free electorate would choose to remain within safe family choices? Also, as you are aware, the electoral system adopted in the Doha agreement in 2008 was specifically tailored to suit the needs of the current players making it almost impossible for a truly independant candidate to be considered seriously for the 2009 elections. I do agree Jack that family influence is a normal phenomenon in democracies everywhere. However, we believe that such influence takes new dimensions in Lebanon as both the electors and the representatives seem unable to move away from the traditional family circles. Our article aimed to analyze the choice of the electors: Why is it that a free electorate would choose to remain within safe family choices? Also, as you are aware, the electoral system adopted in the Doha agreement in 2008 was specifically tailored to suit the needs of the current players making it almost impossible for a truly independant candidate to be considered seriously for the 2009 elections.

]]> By: Jack Carter http://arabcomment.com/2009/the-monarchical-democracy-of-lebanon/comment-page-1/#comment-1672 Jack Carter Fri, 08 May 2009 05:11:51 +0000 http://arabcomment.com/?p=557#comment-1672 The real test for these elections (and the badge of true democracy) is the extent of legitimacy passed to the government. Hereditary ascentions in a democracy must still pass "the Vote", the assent of the people, and this fact inself distinguishes democracy from monarchy. The "W" you slid past is the son of a former US President and brother of a Governor. Family influences are well-known features of politics in democracies everywhere. The real test for these elections (and the badge of true democracy) is the extent of legitimacy passed to the government. Hereditary ascentions in a democracy must still pass “the Vote”, the assent of the people, and this fact inself distinguishes democracy from monarchy.

The “W” you slid past is the son of a former US President and brother of a Governor. Family influences are well-known features of politics in democracies everywhere.

]]> By: GlobalComment » The Monarchical Democracy of Lebanon: Excerpt http://arabcomment.com/2009/the-monarchical-democracy-of-lebanon/comment-page-1/#comment-1669 GlobalComment » The Monarchical Democracy of Lebanon: Excerpt Wed, 06 May 2009 09:08:16 +0000 http://arabcomment.com/?p=557#comment-1669 [...] visit ArabComment to continue reading The Monarchical Democracy of Lebanon. Share and [...] [...] visit ArabComment to continue reading The Monarchical Democracy of Lebanon. Share and [...]

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