What Would a True "Freedom Agenda" in Middle East Look Like?

The Voice of Reason ^ | February 12, 2011 | Texas Peartree

[Texas Peartree]

With the recent departure of long-term dictators in Tunisia and Egypt, former President George W. Bush's so-called Freedom Agenda has been winning grudging praise, even inadvertently by President Obama. However, that agenda of spreading American-style democracy (think Iraq and Afghanistan) may be missing a bigger opportunity to truly transform the Arab Middle East from backwater to advanced beachhead.

Remember that nations like Algeria were more prosperous than South Korea 50 years ago. Even energy poor nations like Egypt and Tunisia have a core of educated workers and savvy elites who should be on par with a Brazil. For countries like Libya, a small population and enormous energy reserves should allow it to be much more advanced than a place like Malaysia. Alas, it does not work out that way. Lack of freedom is a key missing ingredient.

So what would a true freedom agenda look like? What could America do to encourage the Arab Middle East to become civilized and less of a threat to the world?

First, we must encourage the ongoing collapse of the Arab world's fertility rate. Across the board, their Total Fertility Rate (TFR) has fallen dramatically within a few generations. In the Tunisia of 1960, their fertility rate was such that the average woman had seven children in her lifetime. By 2005, they were having only 1.9 children per woman’s lifetime. By 2015, it will be less than 1.4 children per woman, well below a population’s replacement levels of 2.1 children per woman. Thus, over time their population will age, moderate and mature. You do not see a lot of 50 year old terrorists. Furthermore, a smaller population reaching maturity each year would make it easier to find gainful employment for more young men. Men with jobs have less time to cause trouble, as we see in the inner cities of America.

One easy way to encourage the collapse of their TFR is to support literacy efforts. Egypt has a literacy rate of only 71%. Among woman it is closer to 50%. Yet, every country that has ever spread universal literacy to woman has seen a dramatic collapse in fertility rates as woman become economic beings in a sense. All of a sudden, having two kids is more beneficial than having seven kids.

Second, we must find a way to encourage the democratization of capital. In Egypt a few hundred families own everything worth owning. It is impossible to compete with them because of red tape in opening a business, and a lack of capital available to outsiders. What if any entrepreneur could feel confident that capital is being distributed by a fair look at the business idea? The only quasi-meritocracy in the Arab world today is the military, which is why men of humble means (like Hosni Mubarak) but lots of ambition join the military as a way to better their lot in life.

Third, America should support minority rights in the Arab world. Specifically, we must speak out in support of Christian communities there. Almost every single Jews has long fled for Israel or America, but Christians from Egypt to Lebanon to Iraq (not to mention non-Arab Iran and Pakistan) are treated abominably. President Obama has never spoken out about persecuted Christians in the Middle East (or anywhere else, for that matter). Yet, by publicly speaking out against oppression of Christians, America would also effectively help ALL minority religions and ethnic groups. That protection of minority rights and opinions is the heart of any freedom agenda.

The Middle East is populated by men and women, and is not immune to normal human laws. If we encourage diverse opinions and the protection of minority thought, then we effectively disarm the Islamists who rely on their word being the only one allowed. If we encourage capitalism, then we effectively disarm the plutocrats who run the economies of the Arab world and feed anger. If we encourage the education of girls, we continue the collapse of Arab fertility that supports unemployment and extremism. Each of these is more achievable than enacting the US Bill of Rights in Baghdad...

[Pearls Before Swine]

You left out one very important thing: The effect of Islam would have to be greatly diminished. Theocracy is incompatible with popular, or better yet, representative government.

[mountainlion]

What Would a True “Freedom Agenda” in Middle East Look Like?

WAR. You think the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan were bad think of a war in every freedom agenda country and every country that supported it. Freedom is not compatable with Islam.

[NVDave]

Well, I can’t say what it would look like.

I’ve got some strong opinions on what I don’t think it will look like, and whatever form their “freedom” might become, I’m reasonably certain it won’t look at all like western democracies, where people have heard of such people as John Locke, Adam Smith, et al.

[GenY Republican]

So does this guy think that Afghanistan is a model for this? After so many years? Complete bull. Iraq? With its dysfunctional government and its relentless insurgency(Not as powerful as it used to be, but still powerful enough).

[Texas Peartree]

“So does this guy think that Afghanistan is a model for this? After so many years? Complete bull. Iraq? With its dysfunctional government and its relentless insurgency(Not as powerful as it used to be, but still powerful enough).”

No, I am not saying that Iraq or Afghanistan is a success, but that they are examples of Bush’s Freedom Agenda.