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Events >> The Democratic Invention Lecture Series >> Fatima Mernissi
Professor of Political Science
March 9, 1998 |
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Nurturing Civil Society in the Arab World: the case of Morocco
The following is a summary of a talk given by Fatima Mernissi Professor of Sociology, Institut Universitaire de Recherche Scientifique,Universite Mohamed V, Morocco on March 9, 1998 at the George Washington University According to Fatima Mernissi, the future success of Arab societies depends upon its citizens' resourcefulness and independence from the state. Traditionally, Arab governments were supposed to produce an environment conducive to trade with secure borders and trade routes and to produce principled leaders. Unfortunately, today's Arab states have failed to live up to these minimal requirements because they are operating with colonial government mentalities instilled in them decades ago. In the place of powerful states, communities are emerging as the newpowerhouses. Several factors have played into the decline of powerful states in the Arab world. Most important is economics and the fact that Arabs are making it a priority instead of politics. For example, the peace process with Israel has forced many Arabs to realize that it is to their economic benefit to foster peace. Another side effect of the peace process has been to open Israeli society to its Arab neighbors--to show them that a functioning and prosperous democracy is a credible alternative. Accordingly, many Arabs are no longer willing to tolerate oppressive states, especially since they provide little in the way of services to compensate for their oppressiveness. Outside influences have also played a crucial role, especially the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank, satellite television, and the Internet. The first has made government transparent and accountable, while the other two have exposed government to its citizens and allowed nongovernmental organizations to play a more prominent role. The combined effect of all these factors is that Arab states have lost their credibility in the eyes of their citizens. In place of these states, vibrant communities are emerging and providing traditional government services. Within these communities, citizens are taking care of their own problems, often with the aid of NGOs. Examples abound throughout the Arab world of NGOs providing water to towns, paving roads, and providing credit for entrepreneurs. Because of this aid, Arabs are taking their future back into their hands. Thus, the future of civil society in Arab societies looks promising as its counterweight, the state, is losing its power day by day. (Special thanks to International Forum Intern, Mr. Alex Lamy, for writing this summary.) Recent Books and Articles by Fatima Mernissi: D'Algerie et de Femmes, (Alger: Fridrich Ebert Stiftung, 1994). Dreams of Trespass: tales of a harem girlhood, (Reading, MA: Addison-Wesley, 1995). The Forgotten Queens of Islam, (Minneapolis: University of Minnesota Press, 1993). The Harem Within, (Toronto and New York: Bantam, 1995). Islam and Democracy: fear of the modern world, (Reading, MA: Addison Wesley Pub. Co., 1992). Marocaines et Securite Sociale, (Casablanca: Editions le fennec, 1992). La Pear--Modernite: conflict Islam democratie, (Paris: A. Michel, 1992). Reves de Femmes: une enfance au harem, (Paris: Albin Michel, 1996). Vanishing Orient: Papa's harem is shifting to Mama's civil society, (Munich, Germany: AB-40, 1997). "Veils of tears," NEW STATESMAN & SOCIETY, April 29, 1994. Women's Rebsllion & Islamic Memory, (Atlantic Highlands, NJ: Zed Books, 1996). |
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