In the age of globalization where the world seems closer, we are also united by our struggles in democratization. Today, the world is beset by, among other things, a rise in terrorism and the number of failed states, distrust of developed nations by developing nations, and lack of political and economic development in the majority of developing countries (where the vast majority of the world’s people live). The world continues to witness, among others, devastating attacks carried out by fundamentalists on innocent civilians within and across national borders, genocide committed by governments and rebel groups against minorities, rigging of elections that result in atrocities between rival party supporters, and uprisings by citizens who are demanding a voice in the affairs of their countries.

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Last week was one of many joyous reunions and productive introductions, not to mention a chance for our visitors from warmer climes to get a taste of one of our good Midwestern late-March snows!

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Ziad Majed is a founder of the Arab Network for the Study of Democracy and longtime Kettering collaborator. He recently published a piece in Lebanon Now, about the transformations underlying the most visible changes occurring in Arab countries.

The observer of the Arab world these days can say that the fall of dictators and corrupt regimes, and the fact that others have been compelled to start reforms they had refused for years, is only the tip of the iceberg. The transformations run deep in many Arab countries, and the popular uprisings are only one of their signs – even if they are the most important and exciting signs politically.

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