Where Hao Hao Xuexi is not Possible
Just around 250 kilometers – a three to four hour bus drive from Beijing – and 65 kilometers from Zhangbei county, Loutapan village in Hebei province wears a pre-medieval look. Except for a macadamized road, which connects the village to rest of the world, it lacks almost all the basic facilities. Even a basic need like water is a luxury, as villagers have to walk more than a kilometer to fetch a bucket of water from a well in the nearby fields. However, education the necessity of modern society is not easy to receive here. The absence of basic schooling facilities in the village is believed to have become major reason for migration in the village to urban centers.
It is an established fact that education is one of the important pillars of any society’s development and primary education its foundation. No tertiary education, how affective it may be, can fill the vacuum created by the absence of good primary education. For China education became first priority when Chairman Mao famously once said “好好学习天天向上” hao hao xuexi tian tian xiangshang – study hard and get better day by day. But in Loutpan Mao’s saying turns meaningless. Though the village, according to elders, had culture of education by informal teaching even before the independent China. The villagers will hire an educated person to teach their kids in return of cash and kind, recalls Luo Guihua, 87, oldest in the village. Later a formal school was also opened in the village and villagers had to pay fee to educate their kids. But now though education is free for all, Luo is disappointed, as her village does not have a school. Luo’s daughter, who has three kids, had to migrate to the nearby town, which is about twenty-five kilometers away from the village, so that she can educate her kids. Thus she cannot now take care of her farmland. Luo is not the only person who has to leave her home for the future of her kid, and the Loutapan is not the only village which lacks the basic school facility. The similar stories such as that of Luo in particular and Loutapan village in general can be found in many Chinese households and villages.
As the effects of one child policy become visible, in the form of not many children in Chinese villages. Government decided to close the schools at village level and combine them at one place as there were fewer students enrolled in the village school. Though the policy might be economically cost effective, and help government save some money. It does have a social and psychological impact on the society. The two major visible impacts are: it forces parents to migrate from the village for the education of their kids. Right now, 1/3 of the Loutpan population has migrated to the nearby townships to work there as migrant labors in order to provide education to their kids. And, secondly, it detaches kids from their natural environment, which might have an impact on their future development.
On the other side in Wudaohe village in Anchungoumen county situation is not much different. Here every father of a small kid has a same tale to share, that they had to migrate for the better future of their children. A village resident Qi, who lived on the mountainous side of village, is father of a beautiful three year old girl. The family of three: Qi, his wife and daughter were living comfortably in their village till last year. But now, their daughter has to go the Xiao Ban (kindergarten) but there is no Xiao Ban and primary school in the village or somewhere nearby. So the only option for them was to migrate, if they wanted to educate their daughter. And they did. Migration from village means giving-up farming, livestock, neighbors, and living in the township means increase in daily expenditures for them.
Qi, who works in a Brickyard; earns 70-80 yuan a day. However, his wife who would earlier earn some money in the village is no more able to work, despite being in township. She has to take her daughter to the school at 8 a.m. Pickup her at 11 a.m. for lunch; and takes her back to the school at 1:30 p.m. and then again pickup her up at 3:30 p.m. Thus her whole day goes with taking care of her daughter. In between living in the township has increased her expenditures. Before they could take bath at their home in the village, now they have to use public bathroom, which cost them 5-7 yuan every time. In the village they would use wood, which is almost free, to cook meals; now living in the town, they have to buy coal to prepare meals. However, being out of village does not mean that they can abandon ties with their fellow villagers. Thus during festivities and celebrations they have to go back to village. And, going from township to the village always costs them more money. Living in town certainly has brought them some comfort too: easy availability of a doctor, buying goods and do access to other luxuries. But at the same time it has brought some sort of alienation in them as well. Qi’s wife, Qi Luo, says that she doesn’t feel happy to live in the township. She believes, happiness has gone since she moved to the town, she is not familiar with neighbors, she feels alienated in the city life.
Luo Qi and their ilks are waiting for the day when there will be a school again in the village, so that their sons and daughters don’t have to migrate from the village for the education of their kids. And, availing possibility of hao hao xuixi will be at their doorstep again.
Friday, July 1, 2011
Egyptian Protests: A Defining Moment For Arab World
Egyptian Protests: A Defining Moment For Arab World
By Suhail Masoodi
07 February, 2011
Countercurrents.org
As the Friday protests at the Maidani Tehrir could not prove decisive to change the regime, as it was expected; it, however, unnerved, already weak, Hosni Mubarak. He was not only asked to step down and leave the country by the people of Egypt, but his close ally the US president, Barack Obama, also asked him to listen to the legitimate voices of people. The slogans reverberating on the streets of Egypt are very clear and loud. Hey Mubarak, Zine El Abidine Ben Ali is calling you, and the hotel in Judah is waiting for you, chanted at Tehrir makes it clear that writing is on the wall.
One the other side of Arabian peninsula Yemeni president, Ali Abdullah Saleh, convened an emergency meeting of Shura and parliament on February 2, and declared that he will neither run for 2013 presidency himself nor will allow his son to do so. Interestingly, Yemeni parliament was planning to make constitutional amendment last month, which would enable a president to hold the presidency for lifetime. At the same time Jordan’s King Abdullah II sacked prime minister and his cabinet and appointed a new one, which was pretty much appreciated by western powers. Before all this, the first uprising which motivated/inspired all these movements was Tunisian revolution which might turn to be originator of reformation movement in the Arab world.
All these events suggests that the sleeping Middle East and Arab World has awakened and for good. This becomes a challenge not only for Mubarak, but to his ilk in the Middle East and Gulf and to the western world, particularly USA, which pretty much tries to micromanage this region.
Zain El Abidine Ben Ali’s stepping down as Tunisian president and his flight at the dead of the night provided fuel and inspiration to the Egyptian people, who were on and off protesting against the price rise, unemployment and other economic problems and social issues. Egyptians thought that if a small country with less population can dethrone its stringent and most authoritarian ruler why cannot Egypt, which is considered as the leader of the Arab region. Tarek Mohammad, a Ph.D. scholar from Egypt in China believes that Tunisian revolution was not only inspiration for Egypt but also a challenge that if they fail to change this authoritarian and ineffective government, we have no right to call ourselves leader of the Arab World. Protests were also seen in Jordan, Mauritania, Sudan, Yemen, and Algeria thus sending signals to the Arab rulers that the bells have starting ringing, therefore, your fall is certain.
But there is a serious concern. In Yemen the protests might be catastrophic. The worry about Yemeni protests is: if the protests intensify, unlike Egypt and Tunisia, they can turn into a civil war. The country which has 21 million populations with sixty million guns—which means on an average an individual owns three guns, besides tanks, rocket launchers and other modern weaponry in the hands of ordinary people. With almost tribal wars going on among the tribes, which have Al-Qaida ranks inside them, there can be bloody clashes between the government and the people. This movement will not only have divisive effect on Yemen, but might take Saudi Arabia and other Gulf states with it as well.
However, the revolution and regime change in the Arab countries, to start with from Egypt will not only determine Arab World’s future, but will also change whole geo-political relations of west towards these countries. And if the democracy comes in these countries, one might see the influence of Arabs in the world. The United States and Israel is threatened by that development. The Washington and Tel Aviv need Egypt more, in the Middle East, than Egypt needs them. But, if there is again imposition or enthronement of western lead government, as it seems most probably will happen in the form of Israel and the U.S. favorite Omar Suleiman lead temporary government, which might turn into permanent one, it will be disastrous for the Arab world, which could crumble again, may be for many many years. The protests were started against the economic problems, and might end there if any government addresses these issues with basic respect of human rights and public service delivery. There are most likely chances of change in regime, but not system of governance. However, it would not be 100 percent democracy or 100 percent Authoritarian governance system. Thus Mubarak might be replaced by incumbent vice president Mr. Omar Suleiman. If that happens Washington and Tel Aviv would be glad to see their man, on the presidential position, at the same time garner support in the country by removing Mubarak from the presidential positions. Ehsham Mohammed a Ph.D. Scholar from Egypt in China believes that people have to choose between bad and worse. “Mubarak is worse and Omar is bad,” says Mohammed, “So we may have to choose lesser evil.” Washington does not only want to meddle in Arab world affairs to keep controlling scare recourses in the region, but also to safeguard the interests of its all weather friend and ally Israel.
Transition from Mubarak will happen but how, in what form, and what will be the state of affairs at the time of transition, will determine the future of Egypt. Though Obama administration is in constant touch with Mubarak and has asked him to step down, but deep down Washington is worried which path it should take? It would not, obviously, want another Iran in the Middle East. As the symbolic military gestures are seen in the streets and planes are flying on air, Egyptian people are no way in a mood to give up. Therefore, sending signals not only to the Mubarak to leave the post, but also to the world powers that either you are with the people or with self imposed leader. And, Washington and other powers have no option this time except to be in the people’s side.
No matter what, there are visible signs of change, but the bigger question is: Can imposition of western model of free market liberal democracy bring justice and fulfill the people’s aspirations?
Protests in Cairo, Yemen and post-protest phase in Tunisia, does not clearly suggest what form of governance system would be placed in these countries. But if it turns to be a movement for Westminster democracy, Samuel Huntington’s soul would be happy. Had he been alive he would have called it fourth wave of democracy in the world. However, looking at the prevailing world order and the recent history, it is conspicuous that Westminster democracy has not shaped well in the third world countries either. Amy Chua classically presents the case in her book World on Fire, wherein she thoroughly explains how exporting free market democracy “breeds ethnic hatred and global instability”. At times the case looks clear and persuasive. Before Chua many western thinkers such as Robert Kaplan have expressed concerns with the western obsession of exporting liberal democracy to countries that lack the institutions, which support, carry forward, and nourish its principles. As per Kaplan imposing democracy on countries that lack the institutions necessary for its implementation, is naïve and often dangerous, fostering demagogues and communal hatreds. Democracy along with free markets enriches certain ethnic groups, which lead to vicious sectarian strife. This often leads to creation of market dominant minorities; groups like Chinese in Southeast Asia, Jews in Russia, Whites in Zimbabwe and Indians in Africa and Fiji. Democratic set up along with free markets allows these groups, while being minorities to control hugely disproportionate percentage of their countries assets. In such situations democracy gives voice to impoverished majorities there can be, as have been, violent backlashes on the ethnic minorities. The examples are violence against ethnic Chinese in Philippines, against Jews in Russia, against Indians in South Africa etc.
The lesson here is that the system of Westminster democracy, which is a collage of institutions, practices and principles, cannot be adopted and implemented everywhere. Nation states have to go through a necessary evolution of their systems before they can prepare and adopt this system of governance or to create their own governance system that guarantees universal human rights, yet does not clash with the basic cultural and traditional fundamentals of that society. It is too early to say which form the Egyptian revolution will take, but there is a serious need to have incremental economic, political, judicial and social policy changes in the whole Arab world, because rapid change might burst it into pieces, thus create what Durkheim calls anomic situation.
By Suhail Masoodi
07 February, 2011
Countercurrents.org
As the Friday protests at the Maidani Tehrir could not prove decisive to change the regime, as it was expected; it, however, unnerved, already weak, Hosni Mubarak. He was not only asked to step down and leave the country by the people of Egypt, but his close ally the US president, Barack Obama, also asked him to listen to the legitimate voices of people. The slogans reverberating on the streets of Egypt are very clear and loud. Hey Mubarak, Zine El Abidine Ben Ali is calling you, and the hotel in Judah is waiting for you, chanted at Tehrir makes it clear that writing is on the wall.
One the other side of Arabian peninsula Yemeni president, Ali Abdullah Saleh, convened an emergency meeting of Shura and parliament on February 2, and declared that he will neither run for 2013 presidency himself nor will allow his son to do so. Interestingly, Yemeni parliament was planning to make constitutional amendment last month, which would enable a president to hold the presidency for lifetime. At the same time Jordan’s King Abdullah II sacked prime minister and his cabinet and appointed a new one, which was pretty much appreciated by western powers. Before all this, the first uprising which motivated/inspired all these movements was Tunisian revolution which might turn to be originator of reformation movement in the Arab world.
All these events suggests that the sleeping Middle East and Arab World has awakened and for good. This becomes a challenge not only for Mubarak, but to his ilk in the Middle East and Gulf and to the western world, particularly USA, which pretty much tries to micromanage this region.
Zain El Abidine Ben Ali’s stepping down as Tunisian president and his flight at the dead of the night provided fuel and inspiration to the Egyptian people, who were on and off protesting against the price rise, unemployment and other economic problems and social issues. Egyptians thought that if a small country with less population can dethrone its stringent and most authoritarian ruler why cannot Egypt, which is considered as the leader of the Arab region. Tarek Mohammad, a Ph.D. scholar from Egypt in China believes that Tunisian revolution was not only inspiration for Egypt but also a challenge that if they fail to change this authoritarian and ineffective government, we have no right to call ourselves leader of the Arab World. Protests were also seen in Jordan, Mauritania, Sudan, Yemen, and Algeria thus sending signals to the Arab rulers that the bells have starting ringing, therefore, your fall is certain.
But there is a serious concern. In Yemen the protests might be catastrophic. The worry about Yemeni protests is: if the protests intensify, unlike Egypt and Tunisia, they can turn into a civil war. The country which has 21 million populations with sixty million guns—which means on an average an individual owns three guns, besides tanks, rocket launchers and other modern weaponry in the hands of ordinary people. With almost tribal wars going on among the tribes, which have Al-Qaida ranks inside them, there can be bloody clashes between the government and the people. This movement will not only have divisive effect on Yemen, but might take Saudi Arabia and other Gulf states with it as well.
However, the revolution and regime change in the Arab countries, to start with from Egypt will not only determine Arab World’s future, but will also change whole geo-political relations of west towards these countries. And if the democracy comes in these countries, one might see the influence of Arabs in the world. The United States and Israel is threatened by that development. The Washington and Tel Aviv need Egypt more, in the Middle East, than Egypt needs them. But, if there is again imposition or enthronement of western lead government, as it seems most probably will happen in the form of Israel and the U.S. favorite Omar Suleiman lead temporary government, which might turn into permanent one, it will be disastrous for the Arab world, which could crumble again, may be for many many years. The protests were started against the economic problems, and might end there if any government addresses these issues with basic respect of human rights and public service delivery. There are most likely chances of change in regime, but not system of governance. However, it would not be 100 percent democracy or 100 percent Authoritarian governance system. Thus Mubarak might be replaced by incumbent vice president Mr. Omar Suleiman. If that happens Washington and Tel Aviv would be glad to see their man, on the presidential position, at the same time garner support in the country by removing Mubarak from the presidential positions. Ehsham Mohammed a Ph.D. Scholar from Egypt in China believes that people have to choose between bad and worse. “Mubarak is worse and Omar is bad,” says Mohammed, “So we may have to choose lesser evil.” Washington does not only want to meddle in Arab world affairs to keep controlling scare recourses in the region, but also to safeguard the interests of its all weather friend and ally Israel.
Transition from Mubarak will happen but how, in what form, and what will be the state of affairs at the time of transition, will determine the future of Egypt. Though Obama administration is in constant touch with Mubarak and has asked him to step down, but deep down Washington is worried which path it should take? It would not, obviously, want another Iran in the Middle East. As the symbolic military gestures are seen in the streets and planes are flying on air, Egyptian people are no way in a mood to give up. Therefore, sending signals not only to the Mubarak to leave the post, but also to the world powers that either you are with the people or with self imposed leader. And, Washington and other powers have no option this time except to be in the people’s side.
No matter what, there are visible signs of change, but the bigger question is: Can imposition of western model of free market liberal democracy bring justice and fulfill the people’s aspirations?
Protests in Cairo, Yemen and post-protest phase in Tunisia, does not clearly suggest what form of governance system would be placed in these countries. But if it turns to be a movement for Westminster democracy, Samuel Huntington’s soul would be happy. Had he been alive he would have called it fourth wave of democracy in the world. However, looking at the prevailing world order and the recent history, it is conspicuous that Westminster democracy has not shaped well in the third world countries either. Amy Chua classically presents the case in her book World on Fire, wherein she thoroughly explains how exporting free market democracy “breeds ethnic hatred and global instability”. At times the case looks clear and persuasive. Before Chua many western thinkers such as Robert Kaplan have expressed concerns with the western obsession of exporting liberal democracy to countries that lack the institutions, which support, carry forward, and nourish its principles. As per Kaplan imposing democracy on countries that lack the institutions necessary for its implementation, is naïve and often dangerous, fostering demagogues and communal hatreds. Democracy along with free markets enriches certain ethnic groups, which lead to vicious sectarian strife. This often leads to creation of market dominant minorities; groups like Chinese in Southeast Asia, Jews in Russia, Whites in Zimbabwe and Indians in Africa and Fiji. Democratic set up along with free markets allows these groups, while being minorities to control hugely disproportionate percentage of their countries assets. In such situations democracy gives voice to impoverished majorities there can be, as have been, violent backlashes on the ethnic minorities. The examples are violence against ethnic Chinese in Philippines, against Jews in Russia, against Indians in South Africa etc.
The lesson here is that the system of Westminster democracy, which is a collage of institutions, practices and principles, cannot be adopted and implemented everywhere. Nation states have to go through a necessary evolution of their systems before they can prepare and adopt this system of governance or to create their own governance system that guarantees universal human rights, yet does not clash with the basic cultural and traditional fundamentals of that society. It is too early to say which form the Egyptian revolution will take, but there is a serious need to have incremental economic, political, judicial and social policy changes in the whole Arab world, because rapid change might burst it into pieces, thus create what Durkheim calls anomic situation.
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