What a proud moment for Egypt and all Egyptians? I didn't think I will see a revolution in my lifetime but here we are watching one unfold in front of our own eyes.
This is what wikipedia says about the french revolutions - sounds very similar - doesn't it. Except egyptians did it in 2 weeks and not 3 years.
"The French Revolution was a period of radical social and political upheaval in French and European history. The absolute monarchy that had ruled France for centuries collapsed in three years. French society underwent an epic transformation as feudal, aristocratic and religious privileges evaporated under a sustained assault from liberal political groups and the masses on the streets. Old ideas about hierarchy and tradition succumbed to new Enlightenment principles of citizenship and inalienable rights."
Wikipedia lists over 40 revolutions in the 20th century[0] and 10 in the 21st[1]. This was not the first nor will be the last that happen in your lifetime.
I admire your optimism, but in my humble option unlike the French revolution, in which they eventually managed to rid themselves of dictators and obtain democracy, so far the Egyptians have only managed to throw out one dictator to be replaced by another (or maybe a military council).
I hope the Egyptians keep up the momentum and one day soon have free and fair elections. Until then I fear it will just be business as usual for the corrupt and powerful.
I am Egyptian American - both countries are extremely self-centered :)... That's probably why I never heard of the other revolutions in your links.
Regardless, this is something that is unprecedented in Egyptian history, which is 7000+ years long.
Honestly, I always thought the Egyptian revolution will be the poor rising up and slaughtering the rich. So, I am pretty impressed and proud at how peaceful this movement has been and is lead by educated and enlightened young people...
Isn't surprising that you don't hear the usual middle eastern chants "death to america/israel/obama/blah" or "jiha" or other sort of religious calls, etc... It has been all about democracy and human rights.
> I admire your optimism, but in my humble option unlike the French revolution, in which they eventually managed to rid themselves of dictators and obtain democracy,
You left out the part where Robespierre appointed himself executioner and had hundreds of people publicly beheaded for no good reason. Shortly afterwards, every institution in France, other than the military, collapsed and Napoleon invented the modern dictatorship and failed to conquer Europe.
I guess I'm saying, I hope the Egyptian revolution doesn't end up being as messy.
It is a critical time, hopefully they can make a good transition. But things can get much worst if they people of Egypt don't have the maturity. Think, the Iranian revolution(of which I know little).
In the Mexican revolution they were able to overthrow the dictator in a few months. But, the new president was betrayed and that lead to a major bloody civil war that destroyed the country.
So, hopefully Egypto does it well but it is a risky time.
This is what wikipedia says about the french revolutions - sounds very similar - doesn't it. Except egyptians did it in 2 weeks and not 3 years.
"The French Revolution was a period of radical social and political upheaval in French and European history. The absolute monarchy that had ruled France for centuries collapsed in three years. French society underwent an epic transformation as feudal, aristocratic and religious privileges evaporated under a sustained assault from liberal political groups and the masses on the streets. Old ideas about hierarchy and tradition succumbed to new Enlightenment principles of citizenship and inalienable rights."