Witness the Birth of Constitutions

A person who witnesses a birth may describe it in two ways: A violent bloody struggle for liberty, or a glorious and magical process by which a mother gives of herself to bring life into the world. The Arab Spring could be described both ways. Tunisia, Egypt and Libya have all overthrown their old trappings and now face the tremendous responsibility of birthing a new order for their countries. These countries have some things in common. For one, every one of them have similar Islamist, centrist and liberal forces competing for their own interests in the new constitutions. Second, many middle eastern countries had their borders drawn for them. This leaves many competing ethnic groups vying for their say. Can the revolutionaries overcome their differences to create workable documents that will successfully guide them into the future?

In the United States, we view our constitution with near religious deference. It is a linchpin of American nationalism. We are justifiably proud of the work of our founding fathers, who get their own fair share of American reverence. Our reverence for our own constitution should underscore the importance of the birth of a constitution abroad. A constitution is not only a document of governance, but also a symbol of the culture and pride of a nation. What symbol will these new nations choose for themselves?

Western nations will be tempted to inject their own sensibilities into this process; this temptation must be resisted. We must provide advice only when we are asked. Already, there is a growing concern regarding a conservative backlash in some of these countries. In Libya, Gadhafi had instituted several progressive reforms that could suffer in a new state if it is controlled by conservative Islamists, including broad protections for women. Any uninvited intervention or aide from the west could fuel this conservative backlash. Instead, we should take the role of honored observers. We should remain in the waiting room prepared to celebrate when the Arab Spring has finished birthing her new constitutions.

For more on this subject:

http://www.cnn.com/2011/10/22/world/africa/libya-main/index.html?hpt=hp_t2

http://www.cnn.com/2011/10/21/world/gadhafi-arab-spring/index.html

http://english.aljazeera.net/indepth/opinion/2011/08/201182812377546414.html

http://english.aljazeera.net/indepth/opinion/2011/10/20111020184739761495.html

http://www.foreignpolicy.com/articles/2011/10/21/new_tunisia_islamist_elections?page=0,0

http://www.foreignpolicy.com/articles/2011/10/21/an_islamist_a_liberal_and_a_former_regime_loyalist_walk_into_a_cafe?page=0,0

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/10/22/tunisia-elections-2011_n_1026311.html

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/benjamin-r-barber/sic-semper-tyrannis-but-n_b_1024477.html

http://articles.cnn.com/2011-03-30/world/egypt.constitution_1_new-constitution-emergency-laws-egypt?_s=PM:WORLD