This House believes that Egypt is not ready for democracy

There was passionate debate and divided opinion over the motion: ‘This House believes that Egypt is not ready for Democracy’ at the New Arab Debates in Cairo on 31st January 2012. The issues of education, the right to free speech, equality for women and the power of the Armed Forces were raised as the motion’s opponents decreased from 54.8 percent voting before the debate, to 51.6 percent voting against the motion afterwards.

Speaking for the motion, Human Rights Lawyer Ragia Omran, said “Democracy cannot succeed unless those who express their choice are prepared to choose wisely. The real safeguard of democracy, therefore, is education,” quoting former US President Franklin D. Roosevelt. Ms. Omran said that education and judicial reform, in addition to restructuring the media and the Ministry of Interior, were necessary for the establishment of democracy. “We are not ready for democracy. That does not mean we will not one day come to have it”. Ms. Omran cited the 12,000 military trials conducted in 2011, the 40 percent illiteracy rate, and the imposed LE 500 fine for not voting as evidence.

Speaking against the motion, activist and former El Baradei campaign-runner, Nadine Wahab, said that she had a different definition of democracy to that of Ms. Omran. “At its fundamental level, [democracy] is all about citizens deciding on, or helping make the decisions that affect their lives … about the food on the table and the sewage in the streets”. “The question we’re asking is: are we ready?” said Ms. Wahab,”We have the ability today to actually imagine a democracy that is much greater than what we have seen before”. Moderator Tim Sebastian challenged her argument saying that “while she was dreaming big,” 88 percent of Egypt gave a positive approval rating for the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces (SCAF) ruling the country. “Is that evidence of a people who are ready for democracy? Embracing dictators?”

In closing, Ms. Wahab said Egyptians were screaming for democracy, Ms. Omran concluded that democracy would not be achieved until SCAF stepped down.