Big Pharoah from Egypt posts why he hopes that the “Iraq tsunami” of democracy doesn’t hit Egypt just yet:

Several people emailed me right after Iraq’s election telling me that they hope that Egypt would one day witness such a day. I too hope this but I have to be very cautious as to when I wish that to happen.

A quick look at Egypt’s current opposition entities is enough to install tremendous fear within me. Today there is no viable attractive opposition in Egypt that could replace the rule of Mubarak. I am sure that my country has a lot of capable personalities and political entities who can serve the Egyptian people and somehow pull them a little from the abyss they are in. The problem is that I cannot see them at the moment.

That’s an interesting insight. There is still more, so take a look. Yet Tom in the comments section says this:

You’re wrong. The faster Egypt has elections the better. Freedom changes people. The people of Egypt will reform their views, change their entire world outlook when they taste freedom. Living in a tyrannical state warps peoples’ perceptions, making them more willing to accept radical ideas and conspiracy theories to explain how their lot in life could be so horrible. Freedom tears down the foundations to warped minds.

Democracy also brings with it bueracracy which moderates everyones’ views in gov’t as they’re forced to work together and build consensus. Even extermitst pretend to be moderates once they’re elected because they know they won’t get anything done if the rest of gov’t is unwillng to work with them.

You know, I always get torn between slow change and quick revolution. There are so many examples where both have worked and failed that you just have to flip a coin and try your best. Though, my tendency to support democratic revolution might stem from my young recklessness.