hand inflation back?
rer monetary policy by central banks in the twilight of Dr.
. publ. Werner Wüthrich
The citizens have long far too little attention to the issues of monetary, currency and Banking deals. This is one of the varied causes of the financial crisis, which by and by the first manager of the banking giants, the governments then and now has demystified the heads of the issuing banks. That has now changed. Not only politicians and organizations, but also many citizens meet, worrying and debating the question of the monetary system - public or private parties - as part of a mature civil society. This is a good thing. The following report is intended to contribute.
The most important economic organization of Switzerland, économiesuisse has recently completed a thesis paper, entitled "Return inflation back? "published. The two authors of the University of St. Gallen express their criticism of the current monetary policy of central banks. be given and illustrated with current events - Key messages from this study are here - somewhat simplified. The authors have chosen the form of the thesis paper, because reliable predictions difficult because of the complex relationships are.
"quantitative easing" 1 and 2
Previously we spoke of the money printing press, the politicians in collaboration with the central bank could use or if they were overwhelmed, not what else to, or if it just led war or were planning new wars. In order to conceal these facts, the money printing today is known as "quantitative easing" or translated as "quantitative easing". Fed Chairman Bernanke has demonstrated it. In November 2008 he announced the program QE1. He bought time with newly created dollars numerous securities: for 175 billion debt of the two mortgage finance companies Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac (both in the real estate crisis in the U.S. play a crucial role), for 300 billion U.S. government bonds and 1.25 trillion problematic mortgage securities. This policy was supposed to stabilize the property market.
This goal was not achieved. The financial markets have calmed down for various reasons. The property market is still not reassured, and still not restored.
A few weeks ago the Fed announced the program QE2. The scope is more modest. While QE1 was 1.75 trillion or nearly three times as large sized, QE2 is 600 billion dollars from a little lower.
Other central banks have joined. The Bank of England BoE also operates "quantitative easing", adding she bought for 200 billion pounds of government bonds neukreierte their own government. Other programs are announced in London already. Japan is treading the same path. The European Central Bank has also joined the policy of the FED. She leaves no doubt frankly that the "money machine jerk" (or its electronic equivalent) will come more fully deployed - in particular to buy ailing state bonds. The capital of the ECB is expected to double in the near future with new contributions of its members in order to cover the coming losses.
How did that come about?
In many countries, the policy of the central banks today, accompanied by record-high economic activity and bank bailouts by governments, the public debt can have a dramatic increase. This alone can not explain the current situation. The orgy of debt today following some four decades, ever-growing mountains of debt, which even before the crisis an alarming level had been reached. The debt of the U.S. government, for example, have doubled in the last five years and are almost in the weeks more than 14 trillion dollars. The sometimes also precarious debt of municipalities and states are not included.
If the monetary policy of central banks realistic?
In normal life, someone has to provide a service before it receives any money. In contrast to earlier times, central banks act now reversed: they create money from nothing, for which the beneficiary (who receives the money) can procure goods and services have to work hard for the other. Is this healthy? Who benefits? Who is disadvantaged? What are the goals of this policy?
Ben Bernanke, the Fed chief wants to revive with newly created, cheap money and reduce the economy, especially unemployment. The money will go to the banks, so grant such loans, that new jobs should be created. The U.S. unemployment - now slightly less than 10 percent - will be pressed to "normal" 5 percent.
Does this plan? In 2009 the U.S. banks have granted the previous year for $ 1,000,000,000,000 additional credit. 2010 the situation was different. Many Americans have become aware that they lived long beyond their means have. They have begun to pay back debt, which is pleasing in itself (and should be continued for many years). On balance, are paid back more this year as new loans have been claimed. The so-called "Deliverance", the exemption of debts, has started - at least for companies and individuals. However, this result hardly any new jobs. Altogether, since the crisis began in the United States lost 7.5 million jobs that have been created, not again. Unemployment continues
latest count between 9 and 10 percent. If you measure unemployment according to the method of the 1930s, it is above 20 per cent of the will to work Population. Today in the statistics only record those related daily allowance of the unemployment insurance. - What does that mean exactly? An army of millions of Americans now make no contribution to the economic development of the country, even though the economy has brightened somewhat modest dimensions and again jobs. The participation rate - the proportion of employed persons in total population - continues to fall and has never been as deep as today. The number of recipients of food stamps (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) has increased by 43 million to a record high.
money by pressing a button as a charm? Today, though banks may
create new money by pushing a button. However, you can not really control how and what this money is used. The U.S. and other countries have in recent years, large parts of the productive apparatus moved abroad - to countries such as China, the Philippines, Korea, Indonesia and South America, where wages are much lower. The technology can "wonder device" from Apple, for example, bought around the world because you make calls as well play, watch TV, the Internet "surf" and still make some more. The U.S. company that achieved record profits, but creates few jobs, because these devices are manufactured in Asia to the United States. "Designed in California and produced in China," it is said from company headquarters.
are missing today, enormous economic areas that would be needed to really reduce the high unemployment. According to the theory, the lost jobs in the industry to create new services. Is this project realistic? Can this really millions of job seekers to be employed in addition? It shows itself more and more that non-structural problems such as the consistently high unemployment, with newly printed money can be solved.
"hot money"
neukreierten What happens to the money or not does not circulate as it should? It "Migrated" to the world and produced in other parts of the world growth and prosperity. - Is this really so? The authors of the économiesuisse study speak in their theories of "hot money" that flows in particular countries, which promise investors high returns because they prosper, have made no real estate crisis and affected by the financial crisis on its edge are.
For example, Brazil is in a boom. In August alone 242 000 new jobs have been created. Wages, inflation and interest rates rise. The car sales reached records. New houses are built in large numbers. Unemployment is as low as never before in history Brazil. At first glance, this is all very gratifying.
At second glance, doubts arise. The foreign speculative funds to artificially heat up the economy and lead to unhealthy, unsustainable structures. There are already signs of overheating, a construction boom and a so-called housing bubble. Rising interest rates could make the economy collapse soon - especially since the homeowner afford the mortgage or not, consumers do not repay their loans taken to lightly. - All this sounds very familiar. The Americans, the Spaniards, Irishmen and many others could tell it. Another
Point is this: The foreign speculative funds are each quickly removed when the "economic sky" becoming tougher. In the Asian crisis ten years, many countries have made this painful experience. Above all, foreign hedge funds, these countries have brought in massive financial trouble when they use their money to the economy artificially fueled first and then quickly withdrew their investments when their expectations are not met.
Many Asian and South American countries in particular take measures now to the dangerous, to ward off excessive influx of U.S. dollars. Thus South Korea has already adopted laws to foreign to reduce capital inflows. Indonesia restricts capital inflows on as well. Brazil has increased the tax on foreigners who buy securities in this country. Thailand has also taken such measures.
Why is no inflation in sight yet?
économiesuisse attacks in their theses to a more central question: Why is the "quantitative easing" or the doubling and tripling of the money supply in many states out not long ago for inflation?
The authors give several reasons: First, there is a "time lag" that is, take it from experience about 3 to 4 years before the inflated money supply effect in higher prices. Certain factors slow down this process, others speed it up:
price-dampening effect as the progressive automation of production. It has meant that the industrial capacity in many places today are not busy. One could produce with today's production system even more - in other words, the potential supply is greater than demand.
acts similar to the global competition. Also an example: When would increase the car company VW's prices by 10 percent, then many people would resort to the world and perhaps buy cars from France or Japan, whose factories are not fully utilized and who are happy to sell their cars at the old prices. The
many neukreierte money, the central bank is ready, to create crisis in the Western countries, an additional demand. But this happens in the moment enough. U.S. citizens, for example, consume less, despite the low interest rates have begun to save and pay back their debts. The new money looking for a use and begins to "wander," as the authors describe the économiesuisse study. It flows from the securities and commodities exchanges, some of which have already reached record highs. Or it flows - as explained above - in Asian or South American countries, which are less affected by the crisis and where the foreign investors expect their investments high yield.
Inflation is back
The ultra-expansionary monetary policy today extends the circulating money supply massively. This effect, however, the prices of a significant time lag. "The current monetary policy determines the inflation rate from the day after." (Économiesuisse study). The managers of the banks but affirm today that inflation in western countries, within limits, and they will be mindful. But beware forecasts leave for the next few years.
A recent example: On 3 February, the Governing Council decided Despite the pickup in inflation to the expansionary monetary policy to hold and leave the key rate at 1 percent. ECB chief Trichet said that he saw no threat to price stability and the ECB have no reason to change its monetary policy. There are not only factors that delay the emergence of inflation. There are also those that they speed up:
first The prices for raw materials, energy and food rise sharply on the world market. The oil costs back to $ 100, the price of iron ore has almost doubled, energy such as gas and electricity have become more expensive as in Germany by a quarter, the price of grain on the commodity exchanges have risen by almost half, the price of cotton has doubled, etc. As so often reinforce this trend speculative transactions.
second China, Brazil, India and other emerging economies are booming. You have already experienced strong inflation and have taken rigorous measures. Banks must hold reserves and much more restraint in their lending. The Chinese central bank raised interest rates for the second time. South Korea and Thailand have joined. - The Western countries derive substantial part of the manufactured goods from Asian and South American countries. The economic overheating and the rapidly rising inflation in these Countries increase the price of goods we import. We are, are affected in the near future when shopping.
third A currency war is emerging: While in the Great Depression of the 1930s protected the individual countries with their economic duties, now something similar is in progress on currencies. An example: The United States weaken the dollar by printing money, so that their companies can offer products and services on the world market at the expense of other less expensive. At the same time the Fed stuffed with the newly created money, the "holes" in the state budget and canceled the long-term accumulated over many decades, have become unaffordable Debt.
This policy does not go unnoticed. Other central banks do the same and make the U.S. advantage in global trade pots. Thus, the ECB filled by printing money, the empty coffers of their crisis countries, tied its currency and its own debt. Japan and other countries do it as well, etc. What are the consequences?
confidence in the monetary authorities generally disappears. The authors of the study by économiesuisse come to the conclusion that a real "currency war" threatens the world is a "money glut" and trigger a global movement in a high probability of inflation - with devastating consequences for the population. Are there already signs? Who pays the bill?
The inflation rate has risen in England by more than 3 percent and the euro area by more than 2 percent. The trend continues this year, the official statistics is not without controversy. A professor at the University of Freiburg, the "perceived" inflation is calculated using a method that weighs the increase in prices of everyday goods more. It happened this way for Germany to an almost three times the control value as official statistics.
I refer collectively to the article in the Neue Zürcher Zeitung of 18.1.2011, entitled "The suffering of ordinary people - even low inflation reduced "The purchasing power of money dramatically in the long run. The author points out, inter alia, a calculation of the German Bundesbank, which the U.S. dollar since August 1973 when the current monetary regime was created incredible 86.6 per cent has lost purchasing power. (Http://www.nzz.ch/finanzen/nachrichten/das_leiden_der_kleinen_leute_1.9130923.html)
The central banks on a lead in policy?
Central banks could certainly end its ultra-expansionary monetary policy and raise interest rates. Technically, this would not be a problem. It would certainly cause for over-indebted States have high costs because the higher interest burden on the state budget and the economy would slow. An interest rate increase of 1 percent in the euro area would cause the interest costs would rise by 70 billion euros. Doubts are justified - the study of économiesuisse - whether the banks are strong and willing enough to resist the political and economic pressure from governments, the "quantitative easing" to continue this year and expand. The program "quantitative easing 2" ends on 30.6.2011. Tom Hoenig, president of the Federal Reserve of Kansas City and a member of the Federal Open Market Committee, has opposed in recent months against the official policy of the Federal Reserve. Today he reports that the Fed will consider "quantitative easing No. 3," if the economic data continue to disappoint.
Another factor is added: It is striking that the major central banks like the Fed, the Bank of England, the ECB, the Bank of Japan and the SNB's monetary policy rate one another. Although there are differences. The central banks make monetary policy in sync anyway, with the Fed, with its Chairman Ben Bernanke indicating the clock. This is led by the false notion: To end the crisis that "printing money" must be used quickly and aggressively, and this policy should not be ended too quickly. For a single central bank is therefore not easy to follow your own path. The coming inflation - so the authors conclude the study économiesuisse - Will therefore be global with high probability.
not all that bad?
"In the long run we are all dead." With this "argument" is the economist of the 1930s, John Maynard Keynes, challenged his critics who have pointed out that the funded debt by printing money long term policy would lead to a dead end. - The study therefore emphasizes the économiesuisse aptly: "Well, the long term will arrive anyway. Then we will not all be dead, but be busy with the cleanup of the current global monetary policy. "
Conclusion The authors of the study économiesuisse come together collectively to the following conclusion:
"Economic operators its inflation expectations for new information fits today much faster than in the 1970s and 1980s. The increase in the rate of inflation can thus be rapid. As a result, investors want the inflation loss by higher interest rates will be compensated. The reputation of the banks, ensure price stability and to want to be able to suffer and further increases inflation expectations. As a result, the economic agents come from consistently high inflation. Rising commodity prices create price continues to rise. The wage-price spiral, for which there is no evidence to date, provides not only for higher, but also for persistent inflation. "
" It speaks unfortunately much of this global inflation scenario. Accordingly, a restrictive monetary policy of central banks, which seeks a return to price stability would lead to a world recession. The giant global monetary overhang will not be built without great expense. is waited, the longer, the greater the overall economic consequences will be "
EU countries plunder the pensions of its citizens
EU. Five EU countries want parts or equal to the entire private pension plans of its citizens seized in order to reduce their public debt: Bulgaria , Poland, Ireland, France and Hungary. In Brussels, expects an overwhelming majority that the EU aid funds for bankrupt countries from 440 billion. Euro until the summer of 2011 is at least doubled. In addition, European governments, banks and companies have in this year's huge financing needs of 2.4 billion euros. The rescue of the Euro, if at all possible, will cost taxpayers much more than they are now fooled - not to "confuse" too.
Source: Inter-Info, February 2011, episode 386
Saturday, February 12, 2011
Thursday, February 10, 2011
Certificates, Badges Of The Vietnam War
On Rheinuferweg in Eltville II
The sunny weather I've used and brought some nice impressions of explorations in the undergrowth along the bank of the Rhine between Walluf and Eltville. And pretty dirty shoes and pants!
What is less beautiful because: a constant background noise of a plane to the other and on both sides of the Rhine, passing trains! In the Hesse and the Rhine between Walluf Eltville the distance of the busy railway line the Rhine River is relatively low.
an evening sky that is not of the contrails of the many aircraft, "decorated" it was not.
The sunny weather I've used and brought some nice impressions of explorations in the undergrowth along the bank of the Rhine between Walluf and Eltville. And pretty dirty shoes and pants!
What is less beautiful because: a constant background noise of a plane to the other and on both sides of the Rhine, passing trains! In the Hesse and the Rhine between Walluf Eltville the distance of the busy railway line the Rhine River is relatively low.
an evening sky that is not of the contrails of the many aircraft, "decorated" it was not.
Tuesday, February 8, 2011
Ac Or Ad Ballet Sizes
The global political awakening
we witnessing the beginning of a global revolution? North Africa and the global political awakening, part 1
Andrew Gavin Marshall
It seems that experience the world the beginning of a new revolutionary era: the era of "global" political awakening. This "awakening" is manifested in different regions, but countries and in different circumstances, but is largely determined by global conditions. The world dominance by the leading Western powers, particularly the United States in the last 65 years, has been true for centuries, has reached a turning point.
"is the first time in history, enabled almost all of humanity politically, puts political consciousness of the day and influenced each other politically ... The resulting global political activism leads to the desire for personal dignity, cultural respect and economic opportunity is rising in a world that is alien from the painful memory of centuries of colonial or imperialist domination is drawn ... The worldwide yearning for human dignity is the central challenge of the phenomenon of global political awakening ... This awakening the Company recorded a massive and politically radicalized them ... The almost everywhere available access to radio, television and, increasingly, the Internet creates a community of shared perception of envy, of demagogic political or religious fervor can be channeled and electrified. These energies ranging across national borders and provide for both the existing states as well as the existing global hierarchy, in which America still occupies a top position is a challenge ...
The youth in the Third World is particularly restless and irritable. The demographic revolution, which they embodied, is thus also a political time bomb ... your potentially revolutionary leadership recruited with high probability from among the millions of students in the intellectually often questionable> University \u0026lt;-education of developing countries gather. Depending on what you define as a high school education level, there is now the world 80-130 million> College \u0026lt;students. Those millions of students who are typically from socially insecure lower middle class, and inflamed with anger at the social conditions are revolutionaries in waiting, they are already in large groups partially mobilized, are on the Internet each other and are willing, that which happened years ago in Mexico City and Tiananmen Square is to be repeated. be ignited your physical energy and emotional frustration of waiting almost exclusively out of an event, belief or hatred to ...
The new and old world's major powers are facing a new reality: one is its military power in larger and more deadly than ever before, on the other hand, they have never been so weak when it comes to keeping the politically awakened masses to the world under control. Let me be clear: It used to be easier to keep a million people under control than to kill a million people, and today it is infinitely easier to kill a million people than to control a million people "(1)
.
Zbigniew Brzezinski (former National Security Advisor to the United States,
co-founder of the Trilateral Commission, member of the Board of Trustees, Center for Strategic and International Studies)
In Tunisia, a revolt led to the overthrow of the existing for 23 years of dictatorship by President Ben Ali. Despite formation of a new "transition" government, the protests have not stopped, in which a new government is required, which is free of the vestiges of the former tyranny. For weeks, there are demonstrations in Algeria, there is increasing anger over soaring food prices, corruption and state repression. In view of protests in Jordan, the king felt obliged to use the military in the vicinity of cities to allow wind to build tanks and checkpoints. Tens of thousands of demonstrators marched in Cairo and demanded an end to the 30-year dictatorship of Hosni Mubarak. Thousands of activists, opposition leaders and students demonstrated in the capital of Yemen against the corrupt dictatorship of President Saleh, who is in power since 1978. Saleh tried using U.S. military aid, a rebel movement in the North to dismantle and "as a massive apostasy movement called" movement of the south to the south of the country is becoming increasingly popular. Protests in Bolivia against rising food prices forced the populist government of Evo Morales to withdraw a planned reduction of subsidies. In Chile, riots broke out when protesters against rising fuel prices took to the streets. In Albania, a number of demonstrators gathered in protests against the government were killed.
It seems that experience the world the beginning of a new revolutionary era: The era of the "global" political awakening. This "awakening" is manifested in different regions, but countries and in different circumstances, but is largely determined by global conditions. The world dominance by the leading Western powers, particularly the United States in the last 65 years, has been true for centuries, has reached a turning point. The people in the world are anxious, upset and full of rage. Change is, It seems that in the air. As the quotes from Brzezinski shows, this development mean to the world stage, the most radical and potentially dangerous threat to global power and empire-structures. It is not only a threat to those applying in which the protests and called for change, but they threatened, perhaps even to a much greater extent, the imperial powers of the West, international institutions, multinational corporations and banks, the world these support oppressive regimes or financially, to arm and sponsor, and also benefit from them. America and the West are therefore facing a colossal strategic challenge: What does it do to the global political awakening to a halt? Zbigniew Brzezinski is one of the main architects of U.S. foreign policy and is probably one of the intellectual pioneers of the system of globalization. That is why his warnings relate in the "global political awakening" directly to the fact that it by nature is a threat to the dominant global hierarchy. In this sense, we must consider the "awakening" as the best hope for mankind. Certainly, many will fail, there will be problems and setbacks. But has "the" awakening begun, it is ongoing and can not as easily recognized or controlled be as many might think.
tend reflexively to the imperial powers to arm the repressive regime and continue to support, or arrange to possibly destabilize through covert operations or open warfare (as in Yemen). An alternative is for a strategy of "democratization into question," develop in the Western NGOs, aid agencies and civil society contacts and close relations with civil society in those regions and countries. The goal of this strategy is to organize the respective civil society, finance and enable the situation, a Western-style democratic system building, thereby maintaining continuity in the international hierarchy. In essence, the system includes the "democratization of the creation of the physical characteristics of a democratic state" (elections with the participation of several parties, active civil society, "independent" media, etc.), but the dependence on World Bank, IMF, multinational corporations and Western powers is maintained.
It seems to be used simultaneously in the Arab world, both strategies: the implementation and support of state repression and the establishment of links with civil society organizations. The West is however faced with the problem that so far in many parts of the region is still no strong ties to civil society organizations and a corresponding dependency could be established, because it supports the oppressive regime - not surprisingly - set to defend against such measures. In this light, we can not dismiss these protests and riots as instigated by the West, but have to assume that they were created organically, with the west then tries to collect the resulting movement and control.
part one of this paper focuses on the emergence of the protest movements and uprisings and brings it within the context of the Global Political Awakening. In part two, then the Western strategy of "democratic imperialism is examined" as a way to collect revenue to the "awakening" for themselves and to use "friendly" governments.
spark Tunisia
said in an internal communication from the U.S. Embassy in Tunis in July 2009, "... many Tunisians are frustrated by the lack of political freedom and angry about corruption in the president's family, high unemployment and regional imbalances. Extremism remain a threat, "and" ... the growing risks to the long-term stability of the regime. "(2)
On Friday, 14 January 2011, ended after 23 years of the dictatorship of the Tunisian President Ben Ali. Earlier, the people of Tunisia protested for weeks against rising food prices, stoked, the unrest caused by growing anger over the political repression and by published by WikiLeaks telegrams, which confirmed what we in Tunisia already suspected, namely, widespread corruption on the part of the ruling family. It looks like the spark for the self-immolation of a 26-year-old unemployed on 17 December on.
on the wave of protests that triggered the death of 26-year-olds, the Tunisian government responded by cracking down on the demonstrators. Estimates vary, but about 100 people were in the clashes death. More than half of the ten million inhabitants of Tunisia are younger than 25 know, that is no life without this dictator. Since its independence from the imperial power France in 1956 there were only two rulers in Tunisia: Habib Bourguiba and Ben Ali. had the oppression of a dictatorship, the media and the Internet is subject to strict censorship, rising food prices and inflation, a corrupt ruling family, lack of jobs for skilled youth and the general feeling, or (3) Now a variety of triggers that brought people to the streets the real experience of exploitation, subjugation and lack of respect for human dignity.
After the fall of Ben Ali took over Prime Minister Mohamed Ghannouchi, the Office of the President and formed a "transitional government". But that only led to further protests, including his resignation and that of the entire government was demanded. It is significant that the trade union movement played in the mobilization of these protests an important role, was there in the first phase of a trade union protests by lawyers particularly active. (4)
Even though social networks and the Internet have contributed significantly to mobilize the people of Tunisia for the uprising, but in the end have such direct protests and Ben Ali's actions led to resignation. Thus, it is not true, though in the case of Tunisia, a "Twitter Revolution" is spoken.
In fact, Twitter, WikiLeaks, Facebook, YouTube, forums and blogs played an important role. They are an expression of the ability "to change the collective Arab information environment and to undermine the ability of authoritarian regimes to control the flow of information, images, ideas and opinions" (5). [Editor's Note by Global Research: The US-based Freedom House Foundation was involved in the Middle East and North Africa in the promotion and training of some of Facebook and Twitter-Blogger (see including Freedom House), MC]
We should not also forget that social networking sites have become not only an important source of mobilization and information at the base, but also an instrument available to governments and various power structures manipulating the flow of information use. This was in 2009 in the protests in Iran, where Western countries social networking as part of its strategy of supporting the so-called "Green Revolution" to destabilize the Iranian government used. Social networks are thus a new form of power, neither black nor white, which can be used in both directions: the process of "awakening" promote or to control its orientation. denounced
While America in summer 2009, Iran publicly because of the blockade (or attempted blockade) of social networks, had you remained silent and throughout the West in the first weeks of protests in Tunisia (which were ignored by the Western media largely) on the there practiced censorship. (6) Steven Cook, who writes for the Council on Foreign Relations, the think tank of the U.S. elite, commented that the protests in Tunisia in the first weeks of resistance before the resignation Ben Ali has been paid no attention.
Although many went out of it he declared that the regime of "strong men" remain in the Arab world in the Office, would like it in the past always been the case, they could be in error. There were "perhaps not the last days of Ben Ali, Mubarak or another big man in the Middle East, but it is clear that something in the region is in progress." But it was the end of Ben Ali and "in fact, in the region, some in progress" (7)
French President Sarkozy even had to admit he had "the anger of the people of Tunisia and the protest movement to topple President Zine Abidine Ben Ali a-led underestimated. " In the first weeks of protest in Tunisia had a number of French government officials publicly supported the dictatorship, the French foreign minister went so far as to say that France would make the police "expertise" available to Ben Ali to help maintain order. (8)
few days before the fall of Ben Ali's Hillary Clinton said in an interview that America is concerned "about the unrest and instability." And again, refer to "... without a position, we say that we hope for a peaceful solution. I hope that the Tunisian government to bring about a peaceful solution, "Clinton lamented:". Biggest concern are my many young people in the region, which their countries of any economic opportunities "(9) Their concern arises, however, not humanitarian, but rather inherent imperialist considerations. It is simply difficult, a region under control, which is marked by activism, rebellion and revolution.
The spark ignites a flame with
Tunisia raised the bar for the people in the Arab world has raised even higher, justice, democracy, accountability, economic stability and freedom demand. The moment where the protests were in full swing in Tunisia, Algeria also witnessed mass protests, mainly due to increased Food prices, but also in response to the same concerns that had already pushed the demonstrators in Tunisia on the road: democratic accountability, corruption, freedom. A former diplomat from Algeria, said in early January against Al Jazeera: "It is a revolt, if not a revolution of oppressed people who have been waiting 50 years for housing, employment and a good decent life - in a very rich country" (10. )
middle of January broke out in Jordan similar protests, with slogans against the government, thousands on the streets in protest against rising food prices and unemployment. King Abdullah II had "in trying to prevent an escalation of protests in the palace, a special unit made to the officers of the military and intelligence were "; on the edges of major cities covered in armor, barriers and checkpoints were erected. (11)
In Yemen, the poorest country in the Arab world that is sinking in a US-backed war against its own people and which is ruled by a dictator since 1978, thousands demonstrated against the government, demanding the resignation of dictator Ali Abdullah Saleh. In the capital Sanaa were heard chants of thousands of students, activists and opposition groups as "Hau, go away, Ali. 'Ll follow your Friend Ben Ali. "(12) Yemen is in the last three years at rest, in the north is fighting a 2004 based rebel movement against the government, in the south fighting since 2007 a strong renegade movement called" movement of the South "for the liberation . The Financial Times said:
"Many observers in Yemen see the anger and the mood for a secession, the broad power now in the south, as a greater threat to the country's stability than the much more publicized struggle with al-Qaida and the stresses are increased by the worsening economic situation even further.
Unemployment rises rapidly, especially among the youth. Even the statistical office of the government in Aden, they estimated for men between 20 and 24 years Mobilize to almost 40 percent. "(13)
of the Socialist opposition, went to Albania on 21 January thousands of demonstrators into the street. The protests ended in violent clashes between police and demonstrators, killing three of them. In Albania, it has been since the hotly contested election of 2009 has already been sporadic protests, inspired by Tunisia to take now in intensity. (14)
Israeli Deputy Prime Minister Silvan Shalom expressed concern about the revolutionary mood in the Arab world with the words to express. "I fear that we are currently facing a new and very critical phase in the Arab world," He fears that Tunisia would constitute "a precedent that is repeated in other countries and may be on the stability of our system effect. "(15) The Israeli leadership is afraid of democracy in the Arab world because it has a security alliance with the major Arab countries, which are, like Israel itself, American States representative in the region. Israel has civilian - but not trouble-free - Relations with Arab monarchs and dictators. Public practice the Arab criticism of Israel, but behind closed doors they are forced to accept Israel's militarism and warmongering implied, if they do not rise against the superpower, America. Public opinion in the Arab world, however, is extremely hostile to Israel and America, Iran is friendly to you.
In July 2010, the results of a major international opinion poll in the Arab world have been published. People were surveyed in Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Morocco, Jordan, Lebanon and United Arab Emirates. There were some remarkable evidence, for example, Obama was the beginning of his presidency yet been welcomed - were in the spring of 2009, 51 percent of respondents optimistic about the U.S. policy - were there in the summer of 2010, only 16 percent. 2009 said 29 percent of respondents, a nuclear-armed Iran would be good for the region, in 2010 this figure reached 57 percent. The opinions deviated so much on the attitude of their governments. (16)
While the United States, Israel and the leaders of the Arab countries claim that Iran poses the greatest threat to peace and stability in the Middle East, the people share in the Arab countries do not share this view. An open question as to which two countries the largest Threat to the region constituted responded, 88 percent with "Israel", 77 percent with "America" and ten percent with "Iran." (17)
The Arab economic summit shortly after the resignation of Ben Ali, who was not the first time in the meeting, the climate was determined by the uprising in Tunisia. Amr Moussa, the chairman of the Arab League, said in the opening speech of the summit. "Tunisia's revolution is not far away," and "the citizens in the Arab world has reached a never before experienced dimension of anger and frustration" He stressed: "The Arab soul has been broken by poverty, unemployment and a general recession." The importance this "threat" to the Arab leadership should not be underestimated. Of some 352 million Arabs, 190 million are under 24 years old, almost three-quarters of them are unemployed. Often ", young people have nothing of their training, because in the area for which they are formed, no work there" (18).
Even the Israeli newspaper Ha'aretz published an article in which the claim was made, Israel is "possibly" on the eve of a revolution. To explain the author stated:
"civil society organizations in Israel have gained considerable power over time, not only the so-called left-wing Organizations but also those who deal with issues such as poverty, workers' rights, violence against women and children. They have all been created to fill the gaps left open the state, which was in turn only too happy to continue the problems out of their way to someone who could take care otherwise. The failure to take such proportions that the tertiary sector - NGOs, charities and voluntary organizations - now one of the largest in the world. As such, he has considerable power. (18)
Knesset and Parliament do now back in Israel have that power, but, it posited the author, she should see » thereby intentionally causes that these groups have become so powerful "(19):
" The source of their power is the vacuum, the criminal policies of Israeli governments over the past 40 years. The source of their power is a government that neglected its duty to provide for the citizens and to end the occupation, and the Knesset, which supports the government, instead of in his place. "(20) The Israeli Knesset
conducted a study of funding for Israeli human rights organizations initiated - a political maneuver against these groups. But in an article by an Israeli professor in Ha'aretz emphasizing the play of these groups, albeit unintentionally, a role that the "crew to fix." The author said:
"Even if it is the goal of left-wing groups, to respect the rights of the Palestinians, yet it is the unintended result of their activities that the crew is maintained. to limit the army's actions to mitigate and, given her a more human and legal outer facade. to reduce the pressure of international organizations, while curbing the potential for resistance of the Palestinian population, it allowed the army to get this model of control over an extended period of time. " (21)
If the Israeli Knesset thus able to get rid of these powerful NGOs, it is laying the seeds that the pressure valve burst into the occupied territories. The potential for massive protests of the Left in Israel itself and the possibility of a new intifada - an uprising - in the occupied territories seem risen dramatically. Israel and the West have indicated their distaste for democracy in the region. When in 2006 democratic elections were held in Gaza and Hamas won the elections - which saw Israel and America as the "wrong" choice - Israel imposed a merciless blockade of Gaza. Richard Falk, a former human rights commissioner the United Nations for the Palestinian territories, wrote an article for Al Jazeera, in which he explained by the blockade has
the flow of food, medicines and gasoline "unlawfully been limited to subsistence or below it. This blockade continues to this day, the entire population of Gaza, recorded in the largest open air prison in the world and is the victim of one of the worst forms of military occupation in the history of warfare. "(22)
The situation in the occupied territories by the recent publication of The Palestine Papers, "even more tense. They include the reports of two decades Secret Israeli-Palestinian agreements, demonstrating the weak negotiating position of the Palestinian Authority. The documents consist largely of far-reaching concessions was to make the Palestinian Authority "in the question of the right of return for Palestinian refugees, territorial concessions and the recognition of Israel 'ready. It was also revealed that Palestinian negotiators had secretly agreed to almost all of East Jerusalem to be handed over to Israel. Furthermore, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas (the Israel and America of the Hamas prefer) from a senior Israeli representative on the eve of Operation Cast Lead, "the Israeli attack on Gaza in December 2008 and January 2009 in which more than 1,000 Palestinians were killed, informed personally," Israeli and Palestinian representatives should have talked about the targeted killing of militants of Hamas and Islamic Jihad in Gaza . '(23)
then Hamas, the Palestinian refugees to protest against these concessions with respect to the "called right of return", the negotiators had agreed that it should be allowed only 100,000 of five million refugees return to Israel. complaining (24) A former U.S. ambassador to Israel and Egypt, "It there is concern that this creates additional problems for progress. "(25). Even if the accusation is made, the papers could be the progress of the "peace process, hamper," so they show clearly that this "peace process" itself is a joke. The power of the Palestinian authority extends only as far as Israel admits it, it was established as a method of dealing with internal Palestinian elite - along the lines of all colonial powers. The papers reveal, how the so-called Palestinian "authority" is not really in the interest of the Palestinian people talking or working. This is certainly the Palestinian Authority (PA) and Hamas continue to divide, but that they were already. Of course, this will mean problems for the 'peace process', but this one is already so advance that it is at all a "peaceful" process.
Is Egypt on the verge of revolution?
unrest spreads in Egypt itself, the personal playground of the US-backed dictator Hosni Mubarak and armed, who ruled since 1981. Egypt is the most important U.S. allies in North Africa for centuries and is one of the most important jewels of various empires, first the Ottoman, then the British and later the Americans. With a population of which 60 percent under 30, which represent 90 percent of the unemployed in Egypt are the conditions ripe for a repeat of the events in Tunisia. (26)
On 25 January 2011 Egypt witnessed its "day" of anger, in which thousands of demonstrators took to the streets to protest against rising food prices, corruption and the oppression of 30 years of dictatorship. The demonstrations were prepared using social networks like Twitter and Facebook. When the protests began, the government blocked access to these social networking sites, just as it had done the government in Tunisia in the first days of protest that led to the collapse of the dictatorship. One commentator wrote The Guardian:
"Egypt is not Tunisia. It is much larger. 80 million people, compared to ten million. Geographically, politically, strategically, it belongs in a different league - it is the natural leader of the Arab world and the most populous country. But many of the grievances are the same. Tunis and Cairo differ only in size. If Egypt explodes, the explosion will be much greater. "(27)
In Egypt," an ad hoc coalition of students, unemployed youth, industrial workers, intellectuals, football fans and women, through social networks like Twitter and Facebook were connected, set a series of very fast moving, rapidly changing the location of demonstrations in at least half a dozen Egyptian cities in transition. "The police grabbed by force, three demonstrators were killed. With tens of thousands of demonstrators in the streets of Egypt saw the largest demonstrations in decades, if not throughout the term of President Mubarak. Egypt is on the verge of revolution? To answer this question appears premature. One must not forget that Egypt is (to Israel) is the second largest recipient country of American military aid and that the police state and military apparatus therefore far better developed and is safe in the saddle than in Tunisia. Clearly, however, something is stirring. Hillary Clinton said on the night of the protests: "We think the Egyptian government is stable and looking for ways to accommodate the legitimate needs and interests of the Egyptian people meet" (28) In other words. "We will also tyranny and dictatorship in the future in preference to democracy and liberation. "So What's else is new?
some estimates were in Cairo, Alexandria, Suez and other Egyptian cities up to 50,000 protesters to the streets. (29) The protests were met with the usual brutality demonstrators were beaten, used tear gas and water cannons to disperse them. Pictures and movies from Egypt "showed demonstrators, the police chased down the street. One protester climbed on a fire truck and drove it away "(30) Late in the evening, the protests were rumors, which was first lady of Egypt, Suzanne Mubarak, may have fled to London;. Previously had said it, Mubarak's son and possible successor was also fled to London. (31)
we will face a global revolution?
In the first phase of the global economic crisis in December 2008, the IMF said the government "at the prospect" of violent riots in the streets. The IMF chief warned that "violent demonstrations might break out in countries around the world, if the financial system would not be reorganized so that it benefits the general public and not just a small elite." (32)
In January 2009, said Dennis not Blair, then Obama's intelligence coordinator, before the Intelligence Committee of the U.S. Senate, the greatest threat to U.S. national security is terrorism, but the global economic crisis:
I want to start with the global economic crisis because it paves already as the worst in decades if not centuries, to increase economic crises ... the risk of regime-threatening instability if they are a year or two drag ... and instability may loosen the already fragile control over law and order in the developing countries, which can then spill over in a dangerous manner on the international community. "(33)
2007, published a report by the British Ministry of Defense, an assessment of global trends for the next three decades. Was to assess the "global imbalance" the report said, in the next 30 years will
the gap between rich and poor "is likely to be broad, absolute poverty remains a global Challenge ... disparities in wealth and benefits are therefore more visible, including the resulting discontent and bitterness, even with the growing number of those to whom it is likely to materially better off than their parents and grandparents. Absolute poverty and comparative disadvantage will awaken the feeling of injustice among those whose expectations are not met, which will lead to increased tension and instability, both within societies and between societies, they will be forced into riots, crime, terrorism and insurgency air make. They may also lead to a revival not only anti-capitalist Ideologies, perhaps related to religious, anarchist or nihilist movements, but also of populism and the revival of Marxism. "(34)
Furthermore, the report warned of the dangers that the established powers of a revolution by a disaffected middle class threaten:
"The middle classes could become a revolutionary class, which occupies the role that Marx had intended for the proletariat. The globalization of the labor market and the decline in state welfare benefits and employment could reduce the feeling of connectedness people with their respective state. The growing gap between them and a small Number of visible emerging super-rich could be the disappointment about meritocracy buoyancy, while the growing urban underclass is increasingly becoming a threat to social order and stability, when people sense that the burden of accumulated debt is created, and bonds can not be paid. Given this dual challenge could the middle class unite the world to use the access to knowledge, resources and knowledge to design their own class interest transnational processes. "(35)
We have now reached the point where the global economic crisis already longer extends over two years. The social impact is gradually - worldwide - significantly, as a result of the crisis and the co-ordinated response. As the global economic crisis, the countries of the so-called Third World has hit hardest, the social and political consequences will there also are first felt. As part of today's record-breaking rise in food prices will, as in 2007 and 2008, soon spread far wide food riots. This time, however, the situation is much worse economically and socially much more desperate, and it exists far more political oppression.
This growing disaffection is from developing countries up in our comfortable apartments in the West expand. If it only passes through the harsh realization that "the economy is no" recovery, but rather is a depression, and if our governments in the West to drop further its democratic facade and share rights and freedoms suspended, monitoring and "control step" and operate at the same world an increasingly militaristic and war-mongering foreign policy (especially in an effort to suppress the global awakening to the world or crush), then we will see in the West. "We are all Tunisians"
1967, said Martin Luther King his famous speech "beyond of Vietnam ":
" I am convinced that we as a nation need a radical revolution in our values, if we want to be on the right side of the world revolution. We must quickly make the transition from a society that is based on> things \u0026lt;a society that is based on> people \u0026lt;. When machines and computers, profit motive and property rights are more important than people, then one can defeat the mighty Triple Alliance of racism, materialism and militarism. North Africa and the global political awakening "(36)
The Part 1 of the article was", of the emergence of protest movements, especially in North Africa and the Arab world as its theme, this, however, in the context of a broader global awakening.
Part 2 will deal with the Western response to the "awakening" dealing with in this region, "namely the two-track strategy of support for oppressive regimes and the simultaneous promotion of a" democratization "in a major new project of" democratic imperialism.
we witnessing the beginning of a global revolution? North Africa and the global political awakening, part 1
Andrew Gavin Marshall
It seems that experience the world the beginning of a new revolutionary era: the era of "global" political awakening. This "awakening" is manifested in different regions, but countries and in different circumstances, but is largely determined by global conditions. The world dominance by the leading Western powers, particularly the United States in the last 65 years, has been true for centuries, has reached a turning point.
"is the first time in history, enabled almost all of humanity politically, puts political consciousness of the day and influenced each other politically ... The resulting global political activism leads to the desire for personal dignity, cultural respect and economic opportunity is rising in a world that is alien from the painful memory of centuries of colonial or imperialist domination is drawn ... The worldwide yearning for human dignity is the central challenge of the phenomenon of global political awakening ... This awakening the Company recorded a massive and politically radicalized them ... The almost everywhere available access to radio, television and, increasingly, the Internet creates a community of shared perception of envy, of demagogic political or religious fervor can be channeled and electrified. These energies ranging across national borders and provide for both the existing states as well as the existing global hierarchy, in which America still occupies a top position is a challenge ...
The youth in the Third World is particularly restless and irritable. The demographic revolution, which they embodied, is thus also a political time bomb ... your potentially revolutionary leadership recruited with high probability from among the millions of students in the intellectually often questionable> University \u0026lt;-education of developing countries gather. Depending on what you define as a high school education level, there is now the world 80-130 million> College \u0026lt;students. Those millions of students who are typically from socially insecure lower middle class, and inflamed with anger at the social conditions are revolutionaries in waiting, they are already in large groups partially mobilized, are on the Internet each other and are willing, that which happened years ago in Mexico City and Tiananmen Square is to be repeated. be ignited your physical energy and emotional frustration of waiting almost exclusively out of an event, belief or hatred to ...
The new and old world's major powers are facing a new reality: one is its military power in larger and more deadly than ever before, on the other hand, they have never been so weak when it comes to keeping the politically awakened masses to the world under control. Let me be clear: It used to be easier to keep a million people under control than to kill a million people, and today it is infinitely easier to kill a million people than to control a million people "(1)
.
Zbigniew Brzezinski (former National Security Advisor to the United States,
co-founder of the Trilateral Commission, member of the Board of Trustees, Center for Strategic and International Studies)
In Tunisia, a revolt led to the overthrow of the existing for 23 years of dictatorship by President Ben Ali. Despite formation of a new "transition" government, the protests have not stopped, in which a new government is required, which is free of the vestiges of the former tyranny. For weeks, there are demonstrations in Algeria, there is increasing anger over soaring food prices, corruption and state repression. In view of protests in Jordan, the king felt obliged to use the military in the vicinity of cities to allow wind to build tanks and checkpoints. Tens of thousands of demonstrators marched in Cairo and demanded an end to the 30-year dictatorship of Hosni Mubarak. Thousands of activists, opposition leaders and students demonstrated in the capital of Yemen against the corrupt dictatorship of President Saleh, who is in power since 1978. Saleh tried using U.S. military aid, a rebel movement in the North to dismantle and "as a massive apostasy movement called" movement of the south to the south of the country is becoming increasingly popular. Protests in Bolivia against rising food prices forced the populist government of Evo Morales to withdraw a planned reduction of subsidies. In Chile, riots broke out when protesters against rising fuel prices took to the streets. In Albania, a number of demonstrators gathered in protests against the government were killed.
It seems that experience the world the beginning of a new revolutionary era: The era of the "global" political awakening. This "awakening" is manifested in different regions, but countries and in different circumstances, but is largely determined by global conditions. The world dominance by the leading Western powers, particularly the United States in the last 65 years, has been true for centuries, has reached a turning point. The people in the world are anxious, upset and full of rage. Change is, It seems that in the air. As the quotes from Brzezinski shows, this development mean to the world stage, the most radical and potentially dangerous threat to global power and empire-structures. It is not only a threat to those applying in which the protests and called for change, but they threatened, perhaps even to a much greater extent, the imperial powers of the West, international institutions, multinational corporations and banks, the world these support oppressive regimes or financially, to arm and sponsor, and also benefit from them. America and the West are therefore facing a colossal strategic challenge: What does it do to the global political awakening to a halt? Zbigniew Brzezinski is one of the main architects of U.S. foreign policy and is probably one of the intellectual pioneers of the system of globalization. That is why his warnings relate in the "global political awakening" directly to the fact that it by nature is a threat to the dominant global hierarchy. In this sense, we must consider the "awakening" as the best hope for mankind. Certainly, many will fail, there will be problems and setbacks. But has "the" awakening begun, it is ongoing and can not as easily recognized or controlled be as many might think.
tend reflexively to the imperial powers to arm the repressive regime and continue to support, or arrange to possibly destabilize through covert operations or open warfare (as in Yemen). An alternative is for a strategy of "democratization into question," develop in the Western NGOs, aid agencies and civil society contacts and close relations with civil society in those regions and countries. The goal of this strategy is to organize the respective civil society, finance and enable the situation, a Western-style democratic system building, thereby maintaining continuity in the international hierarchy. In essence, the system includes the "democratization of the creation of the physical characteristics of a democratic state" (elections with the participation of several parties, active civil society, "independent" media, etc.), but the dependence on World Bank, IMF, multinational corporations and Western powers is maintained.
It seems to be used simultaneously in the Arab world, both strategies: the implementation and support of state repression and the establishment of links with civil society organizations. The West is however faced with the problem that so far in many parts of the region is still no strong ties to civil society organizations and a corresponding dependency could be established, because it supports the oppressive regime - not surprisingly - set to defend against such measures. In this light, we can not dismiss these protests and riots as instigated by the West, but have to assume that they were created organically, with the west then tries to collect the resulting movement and control.
part one of this paper focuses on the emergence of the protest movements and uprisings and brings it within the context of the Global Political Awakening. In part two, then the Western strategy of "democratic imperialism is examined" as a way to collect revenue to the "awakening" for themselves and to use "friendly" governments.
spark Tunisia
said in an internal communication from the U.S. Embassy in Tunis in July 2009, "... many Tunisians are frustrated by the lack of political freedom and angry about corruption in the president's family, high unemployment and regional imbalances. Extremism remain a threat, "and" ... the growing risks to the long-term stability of the regime. "(2)
On Friday, 14 January 2011, ended after 23 years of the dictatorship of the Tunisian President Ben Ali. Earlier, the people of Tunisia protested for weeks against rising food prices, stoked, the unrest caused by growing anger over the political repression and by published by WikiLeaks telegrams, which confirmed what we in Tunisia already suspected, namely, widespread corruption on the part of the ruling family. It looks like the spark for the self-immolation of a 26-year-old unemployed on 17 December on.
on the wave of protests that triggered the death of 26-year-olds, the Tunisian government responded by cracking down on the demonstrators. Estimates vary, but about 100 people were in the clashes death. More than half of the ten million inhabitants of Tunisia are younger than 25 know, that is no life without this dictator. Since its independence from the imperial power France in 1956 there were only two rulers in Tunisia: Habib Bourguiba and Ben Ali. had the oppression of a dictatorship, the media and the Internet is subject to strict censorship, rising food prices and inflation, a corrupt ruling family, lack of jobs for skilled youth and the general feeling, or (3) Now a variety of triggers that brought people to the streets the real experience of exploitation, subjugation and lack of respect for human dignity.
After the fall of Ben Ali took over Prime Minister Mohamed Ghannouchi, the Office of the President and formed a "transitional government". But that only led to further protests, including his resignation and that of the entire government was demanded. It is significant that the trade union movement played in the mobilization of these protests an important role, was there in the first phase of a trade union protests by lawyers particularly active. (4)
Even though social networks and the Internet have contributed significantly to mobilize the people of Tunisia for the uprising, but in the end have such direct protests and Ben Ali's actions led to resignation. Thus, it is not true, though in the case of Tunisia, a "Twitter Revolution" is spoken.
In fact, Twitter, WikiLeaks, Facebook, YouTube, forums and blogs played an important role. They are an expression of the ability "to change the collective Arab information environment and to undermine the ability of authoritarian regimes to control the flow of information, images, ideas and opinions" (5). [Editor's Note by Global Research: The US-based Freedom House Foundation was involved in the Middle East and North Africa in the promotion and training of some of Facebook and Twitter-Blogger (see including Freedom House), MC]
We should not also forget that social networking sites have become not only an important source of mobilization and information at the base, but also an instrument available to governments and various power structures manipulating the flow of information use. This was in 2009 in the protests in Iran, where Western countries social networking as part of its strategy of supporting the so-called "Green Revolution" to destabilize the Iranian government used. Social networks are thus a new form of power, neither black nor white, which can be used in both directions: the process of "awakening" promote or to control its orientation. denounced
While America in summer 2009, Iran publicly because of the blockade (or attempted blockade) of social networks, had you remained silent and throughout the West in the first weeks of protests in Tunisia (which were ignored by the Western media largely) on the there practiced censorship. (6) Steven Cook, who writes for the Council on Foreign Relations, the think tank of the U.S. elite, commented that the protests in Tunisia in the first weeks of resistance before the resignation Ben Ali has been paid no attention.
Although many went out of it he declared that the regime of "strong men" remain in the Arab world in the Office, would like it in the past always been the case, they could be in error. There were "perhaps not the last days of Ben Ali, Mubarak or another big man in the Middle East, but it is clear that something in the region is in progress." But it was the end of Ben Ali and "in fact, in the region, some in progress" (7)
French President Sarkozy even had to admit he had "the anger of the people of Tunisia and the protest movement to topple President Zine Abidine Ben Ali a-led underestimated. " In the first weeks of protest in Tunisia had a number of French government officials publicly supported the dictatorship, the French foreign minister went so far as to say that France would make the police "expertise" available to Ben Ali to help maintain order. (8)
few days before the fall of Ben Ali's Hillary Clinton said in an interview that America is concerned "about the unrest and instability." And again, refer to "... without a position, we say that we hope for a peaceful solution. I hope that the Tunisian government to bring about a peaceful solution, "Clinton lamented:". Biggest concern are my many young people in the region, which their countries of any economic opportunities "(9) Their concern arises, however, not humanitarian, but rather inherent imperialist considerations. It is simply difficult, a region under control, which is marked by activism, rebellion and revolution.
The spark ignites a flame with
Tunisia raised the bar for the people in the Arab world has raised even higher, justice, democracy, accountability, economic stability and freedom demand. The moment where the protests were in full swing in Tunisia, Algeria also witnessed mass protests, mainly due to increased Food prices, but also in response to the same concerns that had already pushed the demonstrators in Tunisia on the road: democratic accountability, corruption, freedom. A former diplomat from Algeria, said in early January against Al Jazeera: "It is a revolt, if not a revolution of oppressed people who have been waiting 50 years for housing, employment and a good decent life - in a very rich country" (10. )
middle of January broke out in Jordan similar protests, with slogans against the government, thousands on the streets in protest against rising food prices and unemployment. King Abdullah II had "in trying to prevent an escalation of protests in the palace, a special unit made to the officers of the military and intelligence were "; on the edges of major cities covered in armor, barriers and checkpoints were erected. (11)
In Yemen, the poorest country in the Arab world that is sinking in a US-backed war against its own people and which is ruled by a dictator since 1978, thousands demonstrated against the government, demanding the resignation of dictator Ali Abdullah Saleh. In the capital Sanaa were heard chants of thousands of students, activists and opposition groups as "Hau, go away, Ali. 'Ll follow your Friend Ben Ali. "(12) Yemen is in the last three years at rest, in the north is fighting a 2004 based rebel movement against the government, in the south fighting since 2007 a strong renegade movement called" movement of the South "for the liberation . The Financial Times said:
"Many observers in Yemen see the anger and the mood for a secession, the broad power now in the south, as a greater threat to the country's stability than the much more publicized struggle with al-Qaida and the stresses are increased by the worsening economic situation even further.
Unemployment rises rapidly, especially among the youth. Even the statistical office of the government in Aden, they estimated for men between 20 and 24 years Mobilize to almost 40 percent. "(13)
of the Socialist opposition, went to Albania on 21 January thousands of demonstrators into the street. The protests ended in violent clashes between police and demonstrators, killing three of them. In Albania, it has been since the hotly contested election of 2009 has already been sporadic protests, inspired by Tunisia to take now in intensity. (14)
Israeli Deputy Prime Minister Silvan Shalom expressed concern about the revolutionary mood in the Arab world with the words to express. "I fear that we are currently facing a new and very critical phase in the Arab world," He fears that Tunisia would constitute "a precedent that is repeated in other countries and may be on the stability of our system effect. "(15) The Israeli leadership is afraid of democracy in the Arab world because it has a security alliance with the major Arab countries, which are, like Israel itself, American States representative in the region. Israel has civilian - but not trouble-free - Relations with Arab monarchs and dictators. Public practice the Arab criticism of Israel, but behind closed doors they are forced to accept Israel's militarism and warmongering implied, if they do not rise against the superpower, America. Public opinion in the Arab world, however, is extremely hostile to Israel and America, Iran is friendly to you.
In July 2010, the results of a major international opinion poll in the Arab world have been published. People were surveyed in Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Morocco, Jordan, Lebanon and United Arab Emirates. There were some remarkable evidence, for example, Obama was the beginning of his presidency yet been welcomed - were in the spring of 2009, 51 percent of respondents optimistic about the U.S. policy - were there in the summer of 2010, only 16 percent. 2009 said 29 percent of respondents, a nuclear-armed Iran would be good for the region, in 2010 this figure reached 57 percent. The opinions deviated so much on the attitude of their governments. (16)
While the United States, Israel and the leaders of the Arab countries claim that Iran poses the greatest threat to peace and stability in the Middle East, the people share in the Arab countries do not share this view. An open question as to which two countries the largest Threat to the region constituted responded, 88 percent with "Israel", 77 percent with "America" and ten percent with "Iran." (17)
The Arab economic summit shortly after the resignation of Ben Ali, who was not the first time in the meeting, the climate was determined by the uprising in Tunisia. Amr Moussa, the chairman of the Arab League, said in the opening speech of the summit. "Tunisia's revolution is not far away," and "the citizens in the Arab world has reached a never before experienced dimension of anger and frustration" He stressed: "The Arab soul has been broken by poverty, unemployment and a general recession." The importance this "threat" to the Arab leadership should not be underestimated. Of some 352 million Arabs, 190 million are under 24 years old, almost three-quarters of them are unemployed. Often ", young people have nothing of their training, because in the area for which they are formed, no work there" (18).
Even the Israeli newspaper Ha'aretz published an article in which the claim was made, Israel is "possibly" on the eve of a revolution. To explain the author stated:
"civil society organizations in Israel have gained considerable power over time, not only the so-called left-wing Organizations but also those who deal with issues such as poverty, workers' rights, violence against women and children. They have all been created to fill the gaps left open the state, which was in turn only too happy to continue the problems out of their way to someone who could take care otherwise. The failure to take such proportions that the tertiary sector - NGOs, charities and voluntary organizations - now one of the largest in the world. As such, he has considerable power. (18)
Knesset and Parliament do now back in Israel have that power, but, it posited the author, she should see » thereby intentionally causes that these groups have become so powerful "(19):
" The source of their power is the vacuum, the criminal policies of Israeli governments over the past 40 years. The source of their power is a government that neglected its duty to provide for the citizens and to end the occupation, and the Knesset, which supports the government, instead of in his place. "(20) The Israeli Knesset
conducted a study of funding for Israeli human rights organizations initiated - a political maneuver against these groups. But in an article by an Israeli professor in Ha'aretz emphasizing the play of these groups, albeit unintentionally, a role that the "crew to fix." The author said:
"Even if it is the goal of left-wing groups, to respect the rights of the Palestinians, yet it is the unintended result of their activities that the crew is maintained. to limit the army's actions to mitigate and, given her a more human and legal outer facade. to reduce the pressure of international organizations, while curbing the potential for resistance of the Palestinian population, it allowed the army to get this model of control over an extended period of time. " (21)
If the Israeli Knesset thus able to get rid of these powerful NGOs, it is laying the seeds that the pressure valve burst into the occupied territories. The potential for massive protests of the Left in Israel itself and the possibility of a new intifada - an uprising - in the occupied territories seem risen dramatically. Israel and the West have indicated their distaste for democracy in the region. When in 2006 democratic elections were held in Gaza and Hamas won the elections - which saw Israel and America as the "wrong" choice - Israel imposed a merciless blockade of Gaza. Richard Falk, a former human rights commissioner the United Nations for the Palestinian territories, wrote an article for Al Jazeera, in which he explained by the blockade has
the flow of food, medicines and gasoline "unlawfully been limited to subsistence or below it. This blockade continues to this day, the entire population of Gaza, recorded in the largest open air prison in the world and is the victim of one of the worst forms of military occupation in the history of warfare. "(22)
The situation in the occupied territories by the recent publication of The Palestine Papers, "even more tense. They include the reports of two decades Secret Israeli-Palestinian agreements, demonstrating the weak negotiating position of the Palestinian Authority. The documents consist largely of far-reaching concessions was to make the Palestinian Authority "in the question of the right of return for Palestinian refugees, territorial concessions and the recognition of Israel 'ready. It was also revealed that Palestinian negotiators had secretly agreed to almost all of East Jerusalem to be handed over to Israel. Furthermore, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas (the Israel and America of the Hamas prefer) from a senior Israeli representative on the eve of Operation Cast Lead, "the Israeli attack on Gaza in December 2008 and January 2009 in which more than 1,000 Palestinians were killed, informed personally," Israeli and Palestinian representatives should have talked about the targeted killing of militants of Hamas and Islamic Jihad in Gaza . '(23)
then Hamas, the Palestinian refugees to protest against these concessions with respect to the "called right of return", the negotiators had agreed that it should be allowed only 100,000 of five million refugees return to Israel. complaining (24) A former U.S. ambassador to Israel and Egypt, "It there is concern that this creates additional problems for progress. "(25). Even if the accusation is made, the papers could be the progress of the "peace process, hamper," so they show clearly that this "peace process" itself is a joke. The power of the Palestinian authority extends only as far as Israel admits it, it was established as a method of dealing with internal Palestinian elite - along the lines of all colonial powers. The papers reveal, how the so-called Palestinian "authority" is not really in the interest of the Palestinian people talking or working. This is certainly the Palestinian Authority (PA) and Hamas continue to divide, but that they were already. Of course, this will mean problems for the 'peace process', but this one is already so advance that it is at all a "peaceful" process.
Is Egypt on the verge of revolution?
unrest spreads in Egypt itself, the personal playground of the US-backed dictator Hosni Mubarak and armed, who ruled since 1981. Egypt is the most important U.S. allies in North Africa for centuries and is one of the most important jewels of various empires, first the Ottoman, then the British and later the Americans. With a population of which 60 percent under 30, which represent 90 percent of the unemployed in Egypt are the conditions ripe for a repeat of the events in Tunisia. (26)
On 25 January 2011 Egypt witnessed its "day" of anger, in which thousands of demonstrators took to the streets to protest against rising food prices, corruption and the oppression of 30 years of dictatorship. The demonstrations were prepared using social networks like Twitter and Facebook. When the protests began, the government blocked access to these social networking sites, just as it had done the government in Tunisia in the first days of protest that led to the collapse of the dictatorship. One commentator wrote The Guardian:
"Egypt is not Tunisia. It is much larger. 80 million people, compared to ten million. Geographically, politically, strategically, it belongs in a different league - it is the natural leader of the Arab world and the most populous country. But many of the grievances are the same. Tunis and Cairo differ only in size. If Egypt explodes, the explosion will be much greater. "(27)
In Egypt," an ad hoc coalition of students, unemployed youth, industrial workers, intellectuals, football fans and women, through social networks like Twitter and Facebook were connected, set a series of very fast moving, rapidly changing the location of demonstrations in at least half a dozen Egyptian cities in transition. "The police grabbed by force, three demonstrators were killed. With tens of thousands of demonstrators in the streets of Egypt saw the largest demonstrations in decades, if not throughout the term of President Mubarak. Egypt is on the verge of revolution? To answer this question appears premature. One must not forget that Egypt is (to Israel) is the second largest recipient country of American military aid and that the police state and military apparatus therefore far better developed and is safe in the saddle than in Tunisia. Clearly, however, something is stirring. Hillary Clinton said on the night of the protests: "We think the Egyptian government is stable and looking for ways to accommodate the legitimate needs and interests of the Egyptian people meet" (28) In other words. "We will also tyranny and dictatorship in the future in preference to democracy and liberation. "So What's else is new?
some estimates were in Cairo, Alexandria, Suez and other Egyptian cities up to 50,000 protesters to the streets. (29) The protests were met with the usual brutality demonstrators were beaten, used tear gas and water cannons to disperse them. Pictures and movies from Egypt "showed demonstrators, the police chased down the street. One protester climbed on a fire truck and drove it away "(30) Late in the evening, the protests were rumors, which was first lady of Egypt, Suzanne Mubarak, may have fled to London;. Previously had said it, Mubarak's son and possible successor was also fled to London. (31)
we will face a global revolution?
In the first phase of the global economic crisis in December 2008, the IMF said the government "at the prospect" of violent riots in the streets. The IMF chief warned that "violent demonstrations might break out in countries around the world, if the financial system would not be reorganized so that it benefits the general public and not just a small elite." (32)
In January 2009, said Dennis not Blair, then Obama's intelligence coordinator, before the Intelligence Committee of the U.S. Senate, the greatest threat to U.S. national security is terrorism, but the global economic crisis:
I want to start with the global economic crisis because it paves already as the worst in decades if not centuries, to increase economic crises ... the risk of regime-threatening instability if they are a year or two drag ... and instability may loosen the already fragile control over law and order in the developing countries, which can then spill over in a dangerous manner on the international community. "(33)
2007, published a report by the British Ministry of Defense, an assessment of global trends for the next three decades. Was to assess the "global imbalance" the report said, in the next 30 years will
the gap between rich and poor "is likely to be broad, absolute poverty remains a global Challenge ... disparities in wealth and benefits are therefore more visible, including the resulting discontent and bitterness, even with the growing number of those to whom it is likely to materially better off than their parents and grandparents. Absolute poverty and comparative disadvantage will awaken the feeling of injustice among those whose expectations are not met, which will lead to increased tension and instability, both within societies and between societies, they will be forced into riots, crime, terrorism and insurgency air make. They may also lead to a revival not only anti-capitalist Ideologies, perhaps related to religious, anarchist or nihilist movements, but also of populism and the revival of Marxism. "(34)
Furthermore, the report warned of the dangers that the established powers of a revolution by a disaffected middle class threaten:
"The middle classes could become a revolutionary class, which occupies the role that Marx had intended for the proletariat. The globalization of the labor market and the decline in state welfare benefits and employment could reduce the feeling of connectedness people with their respective state. The growing gap between them and a small Number of visible emerging super-rich could be the disappointment about meritocracy buoyancy, while the growing urban underclass is increasingly becoming a threat to social order and stability, when people sense that the burden of accumulated debt is created, and bonds can not be paid. Given this dual challenge could the middle class unite the world to use the access to knowledge, resources and knowledge to design their own class interest transnational processes. "(35)
We have now reached the point where the global economic crisis already longer extends over two years. The social impact is gradually - worldwide - significantly, as a result of the crisis and the co-ordinated response. As the global economic crisis, the countries of the so-called Third World has hit hardest, the social and political consequences will there also are first felt. As part of today's record-breaking rise in food prices will, as in 2007 and 2008, soon spread far wide food riots. This time, however, the situation is much worse economically and socially much more desperate, and it exists far more political oppression.
This growing disaffection is from developing countries up in our comfortable apartments in the West expand. If it only passes through the harsh realization that "the economy is no" recovery, but rather is a depression, and if our governments in the West to drop further its democratic facade and share rights and freedoms suspended, monitoring and "control step" and operate at the same world an increasingly militaristic and war-mongering foreign policy (especially in an effort to suppress the global awakening to the world or crush), then we will see in the West. "We are all Tunisians"
1967, said Martin Luther King his famous speech "beyond of Vietnam ":
" I am convinced that we as a nation need a radical revolution in our values, if we want to be on the right side of the world revolution. We must quickly make the transition from a society that is based on> things \u0026lt;a society that is based on> people \u0026lt;. When machines and computers, profit motive and property rights are more important than people, then one can defeat the mighty Triple Alliance of racism, materialism and militarism. North Africa and the global political awakening "(36)
The Part 1 of the article was", of the emergence of protest movements, especially in North Africa and the Arab world as its theme, this, however, in the context of a broader global awakening.
Part 2 will deal with the Western response to the "awakening" dealing with in this region, "namely the two-track strategy of support for oppressive regimes and the simultaneous promotion of a" democratization "in a major new project of" democratic imperialism.
Monday, February 7, 2011
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