Dr. Khalid Al-Shafi
Democratic transition can be defined as transition from a non-democratic system to a more democratic political regime.
The aforementioned process includes various elements of the current regime, with changes in the constitutional and legal structure, institutions, political processes, civil society organisations, and patterns of citizens’ participation in politics.
Gareth Dale points out two distinct routes to democratisation, namely transition by disunity, destruction and collapse of the state, or transition through negotiations and consensus. The experiences of Spain and Portugal represent these two routes.
Portugal witnessed transition through the first route, where it experienced disunity and destruction as the old authoritarian élite lost control of the political process, paving the way for more radical forces to establish governments that set about replacing or transforming existing institutions.
Spain, on the other hand, took the contrasting route, as the regime and the opposition managed to reach a consensus through negotiations, which did not result in revolutionary actions and managed to bring about gradual change. They let the monarchy remain and the privileges of the church, the army and the entrenched authorities were largely untouched. This kind of transition did not encroach on or offend the authorities or disrupt the social and economic situation.
Czechoslovakia and Romania followed the Portuguese style of transition while Poland and Hungary experienced gradual change similar to what happened in Spain, with negotiations between the political players resulting in reforms and reconciliation and a peaceful transfer of power.
The clearest example of such a transition today is that of Tunisia, whose experience is in stark contrast to that of other Arab states, which entered a cycle of violence, murder and open confrontation, especially in Syria.
Due to the prevailing culture of tyranny, intolerance and denial of rights to the opposition, it will take time to bring about a cultural change that will embrace a democratic system through a gradual transition process.
I think we need to create a solid foundation for democracy and a democratic culture to realise peaceful transfers of power, similar to what Western societies have done after long periods of turmoil and violence. One can hopefully shorten the time and learn from European experiences to avoid a repetition of their failures in the Arab and Muslim world.
Democratic transition can be defined as transition from a non-democratic system to a more democratic political regime.
The aforementioned process includes various elements of the current regime, with changes in the constitutional and legal structure, institutions, political processes, civil society organisations, and patterns of citizens’ participation in politics.
Gareth Dale points out two distinct routes to democratisation, namely transition by disunity, destruction and collapse of the state, or transition through negotiations and consensus. The experiences of Spain and Portugal represent these two routes.
Portugal witnessed transition through the first route, where it experienced disunity and destruction as the old authoritarian élite lost control of the political process, paving the way for more radical forces to establish governments that set about replacing or transforming existing institutions.
Spain, on the other hand, took the contrasting route, as the regime and the opposition managed to reach a consensus through negotiations, which did not result in revolutionary actions and managed to bring about gradual change. They let the monarchy remain and the privileges of the church, the army and the entrenched authorities were largely untouched. This kind of transition did not encroach on or offend the authorities or disrupt the social and economic situation.
Czechoslovakia and Romania followed the Portuguese style of transition while Poland and Hungary experienced gradual change similar to what happened in Spain, with negotiations between the political players resulting in reforms and reconciliation and a peaceful transfer of power.
The clearest example of such a transition today is that of Tunisia, whose experience is in stark contrast to that of other Arab states, which entered a cycle of violence, murder and open confrontation, especially in Syria.
Due to the prevailing culture of tyranny, intolerance and denial of rights to the opposition, it will take time to bring about a cultural change that will embrace a democratic system through a gradual transition process.
I think we need to create a solid foundation for democracy and a democratic culture to realise peaceful transfers of power, similar to what Western societies have done after long periods of turmoil and violence. One can hopefully shorten the time and learn from European experiences to avoid a repetition of their failures in the Arab and Muslim world.
