New at Reason

Julian Sanchez | February 9, 2006

Michael Young talks with Middle East Transparent editor Pierre Akel about the online fight for Arab liberalism.

Comments

|2.9.06 @ 9:32AM|#

Unfortunately, a reading of this only bolsters my sad belief that Arab liberalism is a tiny minority position, mostly prevalent in the elite classes.

|2.9.06 @ 11:16AM|#

I can't access the website www.metransparent.com. I can see a conspiracy theory brewing...

|2.9.06 @ 11:51AM|#

SY: I am not hugely optimistic, but I am somewhat hopeful. In most societies, it is the "elites" who bring about change. Uneducated peasants can lash out violently from time to time, but real societal change requires leadership, as is painfully apparent from the experience of the Palestinian Authority. The Middle East is experiencing a historic transformation due to a variety of different forces--broadening the discussion of its implications and where it will lead can only be a good thing. Also, I thought the comments about who controlled the major media outlets in the ME was interesting.

|2.9.06 @ 12:49PM|#

These liberals look really beleagured.

|2.10.06 @ 12:35AM|#

In most societies, it is the "elites" who bring about change.

Ah so. All the peasants can do is riot from time to time. Or maybe, in some parts of the ME, pretty much all the time.

Interesting interview, Michael. But I too wonder how extensive the liberal movement is in the ME, even among the elites.

In any case, the fact that they exist today has to be counted as progress.

|2.10.06 @ 12:37AM|#

btw, it's interesting that the liberals seem to be largely in favor of the US being in Iraq.