Community-Centric Democratic Governance for the Middle East and North Africa, Ali Mostashari, May 6, 2012
In the past three years, the Middle East and North Africa have witnessed the most expansive geopolitical transformation of the past 75 years.
With the rise of political Islam as an alternative to secular authoritarian regimes the prospect for transition to democratic governments that are respectful of human rights is not at all trivial. It may be the time for the region that gave birth to the oldest human civilizations to set an example, rather than to follow one. This talk will explore the idea of bottom up community-centric participatory democracies that foster individual and communal creativity, growth and prosperity while preserving national unity.