The time for change has come: Lebanon needs an action plan
There is, without any doubt, a need for a radical change in the prevailing Lebanese social and political system.
Indeed, we should take the Western world as a model, however, let us not forget, that Europe in the middle ages was backward, socially and intellectually, while the Arab world was, at that time flourishing culturally and commercially, and was enjoying a high standard of living and prosperity; the very embodiment of goodness, cooperation and social solidarity.
The Western world has come a long way since. In part, its success is due to its ability to incorporate and improve on the merits inherited from the Arab world.
In the meantime, look at us today! We lost it all.
Centuries later, we are living history in reverse. The Arab world is living in extreme desolation, and the desolation I am referring to goes beyond the mere lack of material possessions. It refers primarily to the deprivation of fundamental and inherent rights to all human beings:
- The right to life and the preservation of health;
- The right to freedom that includes, human, religious, political, civic, moral and social freedom;
- The right to education and knowledge, which are crucial for the development of a rich and sustainable society; and
- The right to dignity and humanity, i.e. the right to be treated as a human being and have access to impartial justice.
Revolutionary change is necessary if we aspire to build a true democratic and free Lebanese society.
We can consider the following “three principles” as the ultimate goal we need to achieve:
Republicanism:
- The Reinforcement of the republican ideal of our nation: achieving a true separation of political powers between the executive, the legislative and the judicial branches of government; and
- The Promotion of a secular Lebanese society free from ecclesiastical pressures.
Anti-feudalism:
- The Extinction of political and social feudalism;
- The Establishment of a strong national army;
- The Establishment of social justice;
- The Establishment of a unique centralized government that eradicates all aspects of political monopolies and capitalistic influences over the political power;
- The Establishment of a sound democratic society, where the people have a voice and can determine their fate without undue external pressure.
Opposition of “Great power” dependence and sphere of influence:
- The Neutrality of Lebanon from regional conflicts; and
- The Eradication of all aspects of foreign domination.
Gamal Abdel Nasser used to say: ”Each nation on earth undergoes two revolutions”.
The first is political, where the people recover their right to self-determination and self-government away from a corrupt feudal and despotic system. The second revolution is social, where the classes of society struggle against one another until justice for all is achieved.
Recent events in Latin America, Eastern Europe and the Middle East proved him right.
In our quest for democracy it is imperative for us to revive our national unity. The country cannot be strong without the participation of all its citizens on an equal basis during the phase of redevelopment and reconstruction.
The liberation of the nation is the liberation of the individual, which should constitute the larger objective of our struggle against the current system.
Unless the nation is liberated from external domination, its citizens will not become free from oppressive social systems and political exploitation.
A free citizen = a free society.
All in all, our entire political and social action should aim at:
- Facilitating the development of the individual’s humanity by ensuring equality of all citizens before the law, with no distinction of confessional adherence; and
- Putting the government at the service of the citizen, instead of leaving the citizen at the service of feudalism.
In these unprecedented times of history, where Arab nations are rising in the name of freedom and liberty, the time has come for Lebanon to make its voice heard and engage in its own quest for democracy!
E.C
There is, without any doubt, a need for a radical change in the prevailing Lebanese social and political system.
Indeed, we should take the Western world as a model, however, let us not forget, that Europe in the middle ages was backward, socially and intellectually, while the Arab world was, at that time flourishing culturally and commercially, and was enjoying a high standard of living and prosperity; the very embodiment of goodness, cooperation and social solidarity.
The Western world has come a long way since. In part, its success is due to its ability to incorporate and improve on the merits inherited from the Arab world.
In the meantime, look at us today! We lost it all.
Centuries later, we are living history in reverse. The Arab world is living in extreme desolation, and the desolation I am referring to goes beyond the mere lack of material possessions. It refers primarily to the deprivation of fundamental and inherent rights to all human beings:
- The right to life and the preservation of health;
- The right to freedom that includes, human, religious, political, civic, moral and social freedom;
- The right to education and knowledge, which are crucial for the development of a rich and sustainable society; and
- The right to dignity and humanity, i.e. the right to be treated as a human being and have access to impartial justice.
Revolutionary change is necessary if we aspire to build a true democratic and free Lebanese society.
We can consider the following “three principles” as the ultimate goal we need to achieve:
Republicanism:
- The Reinforcement of the republican ideal of our nation: achieving a true separation of political powers between the executive, the legislative and the judicial branches of government; and
- The Promotion of a secular Lebanese society free from ecclesiastical pressures.
Anti-feudalism:
- The Extinction of political and social feudalism;
- The Establishment of a strong national army;
- The Establishment of social justice;
- The Establishment of a unique centralized government that eradicates all aspects of political monopolies and capitalistic influences over the political power;
- The Establishment of a sound democratic society, where the people have a voice and can determine their fate without undue external pressure.
Opposition of “Great power” dependence and sphere of influence:
- The Neutrality of Lebanon from regional conflicts; and
- The Eradication of all aspects of foreign domination.
Gamal Abdel Nasser used to say: ”Each nation on earth undergoes two revolutions”.
The first is political, where the people recover their right to self-determination and self-government away from a corrupt feudal and despotic system. The second revolution is social, where the classes of society struggle against one another until justice for all is achieved.
Recent events in Latin America, Eastern Europe and the Middle East proved him right.
In our quest for democracy it is imperative for us to revive our national unity. The country cannot be strong without the participation of all its citizens on an equal basis during the phase of redevelopment and reconstruction.
The liberation of the nation is the liberation of the individual, which should constitute the larger objective of our struggle against the current system.
Unless the nation is liberated from external domination, its citizens will not become free from oppressive social systems and political exploitation.
A free citizen = a free society.
All in all, our entire political and social action should aim at:
- Facilitating the development of the individual’s humanity by ensuring equality of all citizens before the law, with no distinction of confessional adherence; and
- Putting the government at the service of the citizen, instead of leaving the citizen at the service of feudalism.
In these unprecedented times of history, where Arab nations are rising in the name of freedom and liberty, the time has come for Lebanon to make its voice heard and engage in its own quest for democracy!
E.C