Changes in the Middle East

Tunisia, Egypt, Libya, Syria, Bahrain.  The people of the Middle East are restless and demanding change.

The important question is this: What change are the people of that region desiring?

When we see oppressed people revolting and unseating their long-standing despots and tyrants we of course wish to see them succeed.  But what if all they really want is a change of masters, someone better suited to provide for their needs?  Have the people of this region simply grown tired of how poorly their overlords have ordered and planned their societies and, if so, simply want more efficient dictators?

In her penetrating look at man's historic struggle against arbitrary authority, Rose Wilder Lane reminds us that mankind has long believed, erroneously, that people are controlled by an intangible force--gods, spirits, luck, etc--and their rulers are political manifestations of that force.

Very few men have ever known that men are free.  Among this earth's population now, few know the fact.  The Discovery of Freedom, 1943 

Revolutions and uprisings and social upheavals in "The Old World" revolved around this belief and anytime rulers were deposed it was in order to institute another ruler with no less authority over the people, just one with what the people believed had a better chance to rule them more efficiently.

I'm not suggesting this scenario is the case in the Middle East.  It may very well be, though.  If it is the case then what we're witnessing in the Middle East is no revolution, just violent efforts to put new faces to the same old problems. 

If this is not the case, as I hope it to be, then we could be witnessing a long-overdue step forward in that region, politically, economically, and with regard to basic civil and human rights.  Limitations on the power of government could be instituted and a new understanding of the proper role and place of government power in the lives of everyday individuals could take hold.

This entire process depends, of course, on the vitality and commonality of the idea of freedom, just as it does in any society around the globe.

I hope this latter scenario is the case and, if so, wish them every good turn and blessing on the long road ahead.