Post-Election Reflection

In keeping with what I'm sure will be a reflection section heavy on the election, I thought I'd break from the group and reflect on something different...the election! Haha how could you write about anything else at this time for such a topic? Anyway, standing outside the White House last night after President Obama was declared the winner was truly a breathtaking experience (for those of you that were there at some point in the mass of people you know i mean breathtaking in more ways than one, the crowds were very tightly packed!). Coming home early this morning and thinking about the festive atmosphere made me think about our studies in the MENA region however. It is easy to read of social movements or the rallies of recent history in the region and just picture people packing the streets, and it may seem they're simply celebrating because they have had such a lack of democracy for so long and its something new. Last night taught me another lesson, democracy never grows old, as long as leaders are regularly replaced in office the love of the system will continue, as long as the American Republic can continue its successful transition of power there will be a reason to celebrate every four years (or two if you wanna get really uppity and get hype for the revolving door of Representatives). This message can give new meaning to efforts in the MENA region. Establishing democracy is not a short-term solution, it is an action that can provide long-term relief, optimism, and dare I say it, hope.