"Democracy is not the certain outcome," said Vidar Helgesen, head of the Sweden-based International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance, a 27-nation consortium that aids political transitions.
"Mass protests can overthrow a dictatorship but cannot build democracy," Helgesen said. That requires overhauling constitutions, establishing free, fair elections, adopting laws guaranteeing political rights, freedom of expression, independent judiciaries.
It's a good piece, by Charles Hanley. Read it all.
But take heart because these people tired of autocracy aren't crying out for Sharia law to save them. They are calling for democracy, even if they have a very imperfect understanding of that that means.
We shall see if Arabs get enough democracy to satisfy their desire for democracy. But that's why I believe we need to stay involved to teach them how to elect good men.
