Romanticized Revolutions: Fall of dictators, justice and Syrian diaspora

When Thomas Friedman questions in his article, ‘Will the past bury the future in Arab world or will the future bury the past?’, he seems to naturally tussle with ‘how to define the Arab spring’. Very often, such definitions, do not contain the power of romanticizing the revolution but on the contrary, assimilate them in hollow, abstract units that lose their utter meaning.

‘Difference between Gadaffi, Ben Ali and Mubarak?

In this post, I would attempt to question on certain areas which have yet not been debated, vehemently at the international platform. The first one, remains on how do you describe justice? Justice of the fall of the dictators. In Tunisia and Egypt, both Ben Ali and Mubarak, respectively had not been butchered or assassinated like Gadaffi was. These two dictators, who are still alive, have been toppled and are undergoing trials which do not mention a concrete day of their doomsday in their respective country’s Supreme Courts. Since, the revolution was against their dictatorship, as they has become a murky face of ruthless domination, is subjecting them to court proceedings is what the common man wants? So, should they too, be subjected to be slaughtered by their rebels? On the other hand, the termination of Gadaffi’s lonely breath, meant something greater for Libya. In case, it actually did, for how long and for what kind of utilitarian good? One man’s food is another man’s poison- a proverb coming to life in the Middle Eastern politics. But it still remains a vacuum that were these two fates, one of legislative justice and the other of barbarian justice- the only two fates for these dictators?

‘Real and taught revolution’

Secondly, turning to the difference between a real revolution and a transported revolution.. What happened in Tunisia, sparked the entire Arab uprising. In a real revolution, the citizens know the reason they have to fight for. While, in a transported revolution, they are taught the reason why they should fight for. Like an infectious disease, the wrath mushroomed, each having the loophole of ‘unknown destinations’. It is said, ‘If you do not know where you have to go, then any road will take you there.’. This abstract philosophy can be actually seen in Egypt where people are left wondering, that did they participate in just another military coup or was it a real remonstration. In the taught revolution, there is imitation, lack of leadership and fragmentation. Just because your neighbor did it, you too, should do it. Yes, there was socio-economic disparity, modernized slavery, absence of freedom and expression. But at the same time, at least, there was a representative parliament with its own decorum that knew its ways. Right now, nations fighting for drafting their constitution under the majority of Islamic parties will definitely rely on religion as their new form of domination. So, where is the independence and idea of secularism that needed?

‘Syria’s tomorrow’

Thirdly, what would happen, if Syria too, faces the same destiny as Tunisia, Egypt and Libya. The dictator dies or is ousted, the public still fights against the interim government, more bloodshed and lack of rational unity. Very interestingly, the Arab League has started imposing sanctions on Syria, in my personal opinion, more to shove off the foreign intervention rather than to actually weaken the opposition against Assad. How much would this show off work, depends on time. And so does, the outcome of whatever happens beyond that.