BEIRUT — The past decade suggests that any Arab transformations into well governed, productive, non-corrupt states will happen through some combination of four existing political dynamics: foreign pressure or armed intervention to change regimes (Iraq), mass indigenous peaceful democratic transformations with a strong Islamist tone (Palestine), populist mass street demonstrations (Lebanon), or quiet pressures exerted by respected establishment figures working within the system (to be confirmed).
The most low-key and slowest means of change among these four categories is quiet pressures exerted by respected establishment figures. In the long run, though, I suspect this approach will prove vital to transforming current corrupt systems into ones that are democratic and accountable. Entrenched Arab regimes that control large budgets and armies will always resist foreign armies and diplomatic pressure, as well as indigenous street protests. Ultimately they will not be able to resist the insurrectionary dissent and challenge of their own elites — ex-officials, doctors, lawyers, economists, professors, journalists, bankers, businesspeople, and ordinary men and women of principled conviction who refuse to acquiesce in the prevailing mismanagement and militarization of the Arab world, and who demand decency and integrity instead.
The truly historic development in the Arab world these days is that elites and street activists alike are standing up and publicly, explicitly, repeatedly challenging the existing governments and their associated military control systems.
A meeting in Beirut last week highlighted several important aspects of this process. It was the first public event held by the one-year-old Arab Anti-Corruption Organization, operating from its head office here in Beirut. The gathering discussed international and regional attempts to promote political and economic reforms in the Arab world, with a particular focus on the relationship between political development (democratization), economic development, and reducing corruption.
When I asked the director general of the Arab Anti-Corruption Organization (AACO), Dr. Amer Khayyat, if he and his colleagues had gauged the magnitude of the corruption problem, his answer was shocking. He quoted studies indicating that accumulated Arab income in the period 1950-2000 was estimated at $3000 billion. Of this, around $1000 billion was allocated to armaments, and another $1000 billion went to develop infrastructure and the industrial, agricultural and service sectors. The last $1000 billion, he said, “is presumed to have been acquired by persons and establishments involved in promoting and facilitating projects in fields of armaments and national development.”
If the estimates are correct, that’s a polite way of saying $1000 billion of Arab national wealth has been stolen by corrupt Arab officials and private sector accomplices. Had those funds been distributed directly to people, he says, the average income of each Arab citizen would have risen by $200 per year for every year of the last 50 years, not to mention the quality-of-life benefits of investing in the education, water, and agricultural sectors.
AACO believes the legacy of large-scale, systematic corruption in Arab private and public sectors has thwarted competition, increased project costs, and sidelined the most qualified people from the labor market. It views corruption as a “disease” that damages the ethics and value structures of our society, and retards sustained economic and social development.
In response, it has gathered a very distinguished group of Arab professionals and former officials to form its board of trustees, providing a platform from which the organization can speak and act with credibility. AACO’s chairman is former Lebanese prime minister Selim Hoss, and among its highly respected members are Ali Fakhro (Bahrain), Ghassan Salameh and George Corm (Lebanon), Taher Kanaan and Ahmad Obeidat (Jordan/Palestine), and Tarek Bishri and Nader Fergani (Egypt).
The organization initially will work primarily by raising public awareness of the importance of combating corruption and protecting public resources and interests; promoting a culture and practices of transparency; and, motivating citizens and civil society organizations to participate actively in anti-corruption activities, including ongoing monitoring activities. Its website, www.arabanticorruption.org, provides more information about their aims and activities.
The significance of AACO’s launch rests on the impact it may have over time. Men of this caliber are not only highly respected for their own integrity; they are also deeply knowledgeable of how government operates, and how corruption happens. As they raise their voices to fight corruption and demand better governance across the Arab world, they will also mobilize others in society to stand up and speak out.
While AACO’s launch has been a low-key affair, its symbolism and potential impact are far more dramatic. These are the Arab world’s most experienced, talented, knowledgeable and honest public servants and professionals, who have put their heads together to change a system they also served honorably. They will be difficult to co-opt or intimidate. It is important that they find a way to connect with the grassroots activists, populists, democrats, Islamists and others who peacefully challenge the prevailing Arab order from below, so that the sad legacy of Arab corruption and mediocrity can be attacked by its own sons and daughters from above and below at the same time.
Rami G. Khouri is editor-at-large of the Beirut-based Daily Star, published throughout the Middle East with the International Herald Tribune.
Copyright ©2006 Rami G. Khouri / Agence Global
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Released: 17 June 2006
Word Count: 824
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