The October 10th Manifesto

The art of convincing people, telling them what they want to hear and then act contradicting what was said in the first place has been seen throughout history. Politicians, dictators, kings, rulers in general, have used populism and effective propaganda to gain power or hold on to it. From the times of Ramses II in Ancient Egypt, one of the ancient world’s greatest propagandist, misinformation has always been one of the most useful tools in the repertoire of the “haves” or potential “haves.” It can be considered a skill, an art even, and I recently came across a perfect example.

Everyone with a minimal knowledge of world history knows who Mao Zedong was. One of the bloodiest characters in the past 20th century, and in History, with capital H, I would dare to say, the Chairman of the Chinese Communist Party can be considered a master of propaganda. During the civil war he fought against the nationalist Kuomintang he managed to reverse an adverse situation, where his enemy had almost five times more manpower and means, thanks, among other reasons, to the popular support he was able to gathered and to the nationalists’ incompetence.

On October 10th 1947, the Manifesto of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) drafted by Mao himself was first published. Also known as the October 10th Manifesto, this document set the eight basic policies of the PLA. Throughout the manifesto, Mao constantly identifies the PLA with the people and refers to Chiang Kai-shek’s men as a bunch of looters, rapists and murderers. The Chinese communist also exploits the inability of the Kuomintang during the Second World War to oppose the powerful Japanese Empire and labels their leader as a traitor.

On the eight policies the manifesto lays out, three stand out, and especially if we take into account what actually happened:

1. Unite workers, peasants, soldiers, intellectuals and businessmen, all oppressed classes, al people’s organizations, democratic parties, minority nationalities, overseas Chinese and other patriots; forma a national united front; overthrow the dictatorial Chiang Kai-shek government; and establish a democratic coalition government.

3. Abolish Chiang Kai-shek dictatorship, carry out the system of people’s democracy and guarantee freedom of speech, of the press, of assembly and of association for the people

7. Recognize the right to equality and autonomy of the minority nationalities within the borders of China.

Yes, it is not a typo; Mao Zedong talked about establishing a democratic coalition government. In fact, the term “democracy” can be read various times throughout the text. Yes, Mao also mentioned guaranteeing key liberties that we know he brutally suppressed like freedom of speech, press and assembly. And finally, Chairman Mao also promised autonomy to the numerous minorities that lived, and live, in China. Pure and utter propaganda. However it is not surprising that he was able to rally massive support: who wouldn’t have fought against a traitor, corrupt and evil dictatorship to defend and extend democracy, civil liberties and rights? Attacking his enemy, blaming him for all of the country’s maladies and identifying his party with the people (workers, peasants, businessmen, intellectuals…), Mao managed to speak out to a vast proportion of the Chinese population. There is no hint in his words of his lust for power, of his authoritarian and ruthless behavior. He presents the Chinese communists as people fighting for the people, with the support of the people. In order to reach to a broad audience, he declared he would pardon and accept in his ranks all those officers and men that were then fighting for Chiang Kai-shek. No wonder he actually succeeded.

Now, 65 years after the manifesto was first published, we can see the result of it: since Mao took power in China there has been no democracy, no freedom of speech, press, association and assembly and no rights or autonomy have been granted to the minorities (ask the Uyghurs and Tibetans about it). Nonetheless, the October 10th Manifesto can be considered as a fine example of lies and populism, the sort that helped authoritarian regimes seize power during the last century. Unfortunately, this does not differ a lot from the strategies used by politicians to win elections in modern day democracies (or should we call them pseudo democracies?)

Excerpt from "God and the State"

People may agree or disagree with the following paragraph, but it nevertheless highlights how little men have changed in the last century and a half despite the wonderful, and sometimes terrifying, progress science has brought. The same problems arise time and again and a solution has yet to be found. Although this won't be possible as long as individual liberties are still curtailed and political inbreeding continues to be the norm. Enjoy this food for thought.

"In a word, we reject all legislation, all authority, and all privileged, licensed, official, and legal influence, even though arising from universal suffrage, convinced that it can turn only to the advantage of a dominant minority of exploiters against the interests of the immense majority subject to them."

Mikhail Bakunin, God and the State (1882)

THE YOUTH TOPPLES MUBARAK

An important chapter on the world’s history was written last Friday. Something that many deemed as impossible, as a utopia, took place on January 11, a date that will never be forgotten by the Egyptians. Against all odds, an autocratic regime was toppled pacifically by the will of the people. In Naguib Mahfouz’s Palace Walk, Fahmy, a young idealist and nationalist, demonstrated against the British occupation of Egypt in defence of his people. He passionately encompassed youth, idealism and the desire for change. It now seems as if his thousands of Fahmys had flooded into Tahrir Square to follow his steps and achieve something he would have never dreamt of.

The fall of Tunisia’s regime was surprising but the small significance of the country downplayed its importance. However, the resignation of the rais Hosni Mubarak, who held power in Egypt for nearly 30 years, is one of the major events of the present century. It’s not the fact that a dictator was overthrown, but that it was the people, namely the youth, who kicked the ruler out while refraining from any violence, which was only used by the demonstrators to protect themselves from the thugs sent by Mubarak.

People from different backgrounds, ideologies and religious believes united in Cairo’s now famous Tahrir Square to force the resignation of Mubarak. Eighteen days and more than 300 deaths after, the demonstrators were victorious and joy followed in Liberation Square. The revolution had succeeded. If asked three weeks ago if he believed that Mubarak could be overthrown, any Egyptian would laugh at you or would answer with a gloomy ‘no.’ How could a President that has been in power 30 years, with close ties with the military and total control of the security forces fall just because of the will of his oppressed people? Most analysts were very sceptical that Mubarak would share Tunisian Ben Ali’s fate, it was a utopian dream. Egypt is way different than Tunisia, they said, Mubarak’s grip on power can’t be compared to that of Ben Ali. But what started as nothing more than a dream came true.

It was the youth of Egypt that made all this happen. Thanks to Twitter and Facebook they overcame all the hurdles imposed by the regime. Groups such as the April 6 Youth Movement, which started as a Facebook group, brought students and other young people together. They had had enough corruption, enough lack of liberties, enough misery.They were mobilized in an orderly fashion and their pacific protest was what brought down Mubarak. It was them who started the struggle for freedom and democracy that ended with the regime. Mohamed ElBaradei’s National Association for Change and other political organizations, including the Muslim Brotherhood, just followed them.

Now, on the aftermath of Mubarak’s departure, although he’s still in Egypt, in the Red Sea resort of Sharm el-Sheikh, the work has to continue. The army has dissolved parliament and will run the country until September, when elections should take place. At the same time as they clean Tahrir Square, the demonstrators will have to be aware in order to avoid the return of a dictatorship. However, I have no doubt that they will be, and they will return to the streets if their demands are not met.

The future ahead is nonetheless difficult. A transition has to take place from autocracy to democracy. Political parties and organizations from the Egyptian political spectrum have to unite to achieve the so much desired democracy. Youth organizations, liberal, right and left wing parties should all be present. Even the Muslim Brotherhood shouldn’t be alienated. Free elections are the ultimate goal that should be achieved. It is the military who now have the power, but this should be a temporary measure until a new constitution is drafted and elections take place.


Westerners are afraid of the turn out of this revolution. Many of them remember when the Shah’s regime was toppled and how Ayatollah Khomeini established a terrifying Islamist regime that curbed far more liberties than that of the Shah. However, the Muslim Brotherhood, Egypt’s Islamists, was not behind this revolution. It was a spontaneous movement to which they joined after its popularity soared. If they stick to democratic principles, there is not reason why they shouldn’t be part of the transition. Even if people are still afraid of the ‘Islamist bogeyman,’ it seems that the maximum number of votes the Muslim Brotherhood would get in an election would be around 20%. Nonetheless, if they don’t comply with democratic principles they should not decide the future of the country.

As many others who gave their lives, Fahmy wasn’t able to see the independence of his country. However, he contributed in Mahfouz’s novel to achieve something previous generations thought that couldn’t be done. Just as many people thought it was impossible to overthrow Mubarak. But the youth prevailed and the revolution succeeded. It is a shame that neither Fahmy nor Mahfouz can witness the transformation their beloved Egypt is going through but I’m sure they would be proud of it.

THE EGYPTIAN REGIME TEETERS, WILL IT FALL?

Tunisia was the first country in the Arab world that overthrew a dictator through pure and utter popular will. What started in a relatively unimportant country in Northern Africa as extended has far as Yemen in the Arabian Peninsula. However, the most surprising and striking events are taking place right now in Egypt.

The country ruled by Hosni Mubarak is a major player in the region and a firm U.S. ally in the Arab world. It is the first time the Egyptian dictator sees such an extreme opposition to his regime. Thousands of people have taken the streets to protest against the dictator. They don’t respect the curfew imposed by the government, they fight the police, and they tear apart banners of Mubarak. Rage has come to the Nile, and it seems it may be there to stay.

Thousands of unemployed youngsters have taken the streets in Cairo, protesting against Mubarak’s authoritarian regime and the lack of democracy in the country. This is added to the bad economic situation of the average Egyptian citizen and the corruption that reigns in the country, specially among the ruling elite. All these factors are quite similar to the ones that caused the uprising in Tunisia, which ended up with the depostion of Ben Ali.

In spite of these similarities, the Egyptian government has learned somewhat of what happened in Tunisia, as it has denied Internet and mobile phone access to its citizens, thus reducing the impact of the social networks in the revolution and stablishing a North Korean style censorship. Also, it seems that Mubarak has the support of the army, something that Ben Ali didn’t have as in the last years he decided to favor the national security forces instead of the militaries. This will obviously difficult the impact of the demonstrators, but we have seen in the last days that the will of the people should not be underestimated, and even less when wrath and opression are involved.

Some minutes ago President Mubarak announced the formation of a new cabinet but left clear that he would hold on to power. It is to be seen if the Egyptians will be convinced by this smoke curtain, which is nothing more than an attempt to calm the protestors. Nevertheless, no comments where made about the introduction of democratic reforms in the country or of a possible resignation.

The great question is the role the army will play in the demonstrations. Should they stand loyal to Mubarak, a bloodbath could follow. The militaries control around 30% of the Egyptian economy and that is why it wouldn’t be surprising if they support the President. However, if they take a neutral stand and abstain to act against the Egyptian people, Mubarak could have his days numbered.

Egypt is on the edge of a dramatic political change. For the first time in modern history, the Egyptian government fears its citizens and not the other way around. The Jasmine Revolution succeeded in Tunisia. Will this uprising have the same result in Egypt?

Talkin' 'Bout A Revolution

1960 IN ALABAMA, 2010 IN ARIZONA

How can a nation founded by immigrants turn her back on them? The US is a great country that has achieved its present global status and strength thanks to the contribution of immigrants. However, a country that once greeted newcomers and that has immigration on its own DNA is betraying its principles, distancing itself of what made it what it is now.

The border state of Arizona passed on April a new immigration law, the notorious SB 1070. This new law allows racial profiling as a mean to identify illegal immigrants within the state. According the Senate Bill 1070, immigrants have to carry with them their alien registration documents at all times since policemen have to question everyone they think that can be an illegal immigrant. If the person doesn’t have his documents with him at the time the police question him he can be detained as it will be considered a crime. The reason behind this is the aim to reduce criminality, thus relating crime to immigration. So the intentions behind this law seem clear.

In a state like Arizona, sharing a border with Mexico, I doubt policemen will question white ‘European looking’ people about their origin. It will be Hispanic people who will be targeted by the security forces. Therefore, it will be race what will determine who will be questioned. In other words, Hispanic immigrants, whether legal or illegal, will suffer a ‘legal’ (since it was passed by Governor Jan Brewer) form of racism, even though officials in Arizona don’t want to see it that way. Instead of moving on, it seems as is Brewer wants to go back to the past, when race was seen as a barrier between people.

It is somewhat ironic that this law against the Hispanic community was passed in Arizona. Around 30% of the state’s population is Hispanic, which accounts for nearly 2 million people. Mexicans lived in those lands long before the Americans annexed most of Arizona in 1848 and purchased the rest of it 1853. By that time the newcomers and aliens were the Americans but it seems that one and a half centuries later that has been forgotten. Someone should teach Governor Jan Brewer some history.

The timing of this deviant law couldn’t be better for Brewer and her acolytes. With the economy still struggling and not fully recovering and with President Barack Obama facing various political threats (both domestically and internationally) the time is right for the SB 1070 to succeed. The people, mostly those that are having a hard time making ends meet, are blinded my desperation so its no surprise that, according to an opinion poll on the issue carried out by CBS News, 57% of the people think the law is ‘about right’ and 17% think it ‘doesn’t go far enough.’ Only 23 % of the 996 people interviewed nationwide thought the draconian law ‘goes too far.’ Many of the people feel that illegal immigrants are stealing the jobs from the average American citizen. They can’t be blamed for thinking that jobs are being taken away from them in a time of recession but the problem lies in the fact that fairly conservative politicians, leaded by the notorious Tea Party, are taking advantage of it to impose their own, and in many cases intolerant, views.

There seems to be light at the end of the tunnel as the United States Justice Department has filed a federal suit that challenges the Support Our Law Enforcement and Safe Neighborhoods Act (the law’s formal name) for usurping the federal government’s authority. There are other lawsuits filed against the law by different organizations and individuals, who claim the SB 1070 violates the Constitution. Will these law suits succeed in overturning Arizona’s new immigration law? It will take some time to see what happens as it is too early to go on speculating about it.

The US, a nation sustained by immigrants, could be on the brink of taking a vital turn for the country’s future. If Arizona is the only state that comes up with this kind of laws, something which unfortunately doesn’t seem like happening, the problem will be limited to one state and therefore would be easier to eradicate. Nevertheless, if other states follow Arizona’s example, the US could suffer an identity crisis as its principles would be at risk. Thus, both the USA’s diversity and the safe haven it has represented for minorities could be endangered.

UYAN! (Wake Up!)

My dear brother, look our life is in your hands
We lost the beauty of flying bird,we are sick

l got bored of crying, of stopping
It is a fault that this immoral games go on

Wake up, from now on, wake up
Wake up, my friend, wake up
Wake up, from now on, from this dark dream

There were only colours, but they were lost too
Before we could breath
Ah! this life is a senseless joke
Everbody is aware of it

l got bored of crying, of stopping
It is a fault that this immoral games go on

Wake up, from now on, wake up
Wake up, my friend, wake up
Wake up, from now on, from this dark dream

You were still at the end of the road
But you still couldnt do anything
You were asleep, lazy, you were alone