By Star-Ledger Guest Columnist
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By Alan L. Moss
What has become of the Arab Spring and its promise of democracy and economic equality?
Egypt has reverted to military rule; Libya is unable to unify rival militias; and Tunisia has been subjected to assassinations and widening political divisions. Thousands of Iraqis have been killed in recent months as insurgents seek to re-ignite sectarian conflict. The anti-Assad rebellion has resulted in more than 100,000 dead Syrians, more than 1,000 from chemical weapons.
How might this record of failure be turned around to realize Arab Spring objectives?
Insufficient knowledge, experience and leadership in democratization and economic development undermined Middle East freedom fighters. To succeed, those who continue the quest must be provided with tools to overcome these barriers. Democratic institutions and human rights guarantees must be established to overpower historical prejudices and competitions. Resources must be made available to reduce widespread poverty, improve education and access to employment and encourage industrial diversification.
Looking to organizations that transformed other regions of the world, it is instructive to focus on the European Union. After World War II, the EU began converting ultra-nationalist states into a cooperating union. Although Europe and the Middle East are very different, post-World War II Europe and today’s Middle East share problems of military conflict, unprotected minorities and economic inequality. Just as economic integration gave European nations incentive for peace and advancement in human and economic rights, perhaps a Middle East Union could serve the same purpose.
The MEU could be organized into eight administrative units: 1) an Agency for Democratic Transition to transform governments into democracies; 2) an Economic Development Agency to diversify and develop economies; 3) a Union Education Institute to increase labor force participation and reduce unemployment; 4) a Rights Council to promote human and civil rights; 5) an Office of Economic Opportunity to reduce poverty and income inequality; 6) a Legislature to provide a forum for deliberations; 7) an Office of Management and Budget to assess annual dues, execute continuous audits, and seek international funding and expertise; and 8) a Security Center, staffed by United Nations forces, to maintain member borders and enforce agreements reached.
Unlike other Middle East organizations, the MEU could focus on national transformation to democratic institutions, strong economic performance, and the full engagement of Israel in a multi-nation effort to obtain region-wide objectives. It would require no compromise of sovereignty, just a shared commitment to mutual freedoms and development. Prerequisites would require a nonaggression pact, open access to all religious sites, and formation of a Palestinian state and Jerusalem settlement (currently being negotiated).
There are those who will view the MEU proposal as a pipe dream. They will contend that Middle East nations will never be free to put the old grudges and oppressive ways aside. On the other hand, students of history may look to the European Union and recall how its earliest rendering moved member states away from extreme nationalism and toward democracy and economic recovery, eventually emerging from the rubble of World War II.
Certainly, Arab youth sacrificing their lives to finally turn the page is a powerful symbol that times are changing. These young people are willing to pay the ultimate price to transform their nations into democracies that value the individual and promote prosperity.
Constructing a Middle East Union could provide the dedicated expertise, experience, and resources needed for ultimate Arab Spring success. If the MEU proposal captures the imagination of even a limited number of Middle East nations, the benefits their people would reap should propel other states to follow. Once this process begins, it will overtake the drag of nonproductive thought and spread democracy, peace, and prosperity throughout the region.
Alan L. Moss was a Congressional Fellow to the late Sen. Frank Lautenberg and chief economist at the federal Wage and Hour Division.
