By El-Sayed Eleiwa Political reform is the new buzzword. It is the Hidden Imam awaited by the public and media alike. People are beginning to think of reform in terms of instant solutions, as if reform is a button that, once you press, opens all doors to power sharing, power rotation, transparency, and accountability -- to all these great things we associate with good governance. But things do not always work that way, not in real life, and definitely not in a culture that to this day glorifies the individual, awaits the saviour, dreams of miracles, searches for a superman. We cannot go on hoping that a super-government would come along and put things right overnight. No government can do that. The problem we are facing is three-pronged. We live under threat, we have little time, and we face an uncertain future. We need political reform, but who is to bring it about? Will it be the government? Well, we know that the government has a stake in the status quo. Will it be the elite? Not quite, for the elite will make cosmetic changes at most. Will it be the opposition? I don't think so, for it lacks momentum and cohesion. Will it be the masses, a peaceful uprising? Not right now, and not in a country of such considerable size. Will it be international pressure? We all know that the major powers think only of their interests. The only credible change one should hope for is that mounted by civil society. The latter is emerging as the third partner in development, along with the government and the private sector. Civil society is qualified to lead political reform in its modern, multi-faceted sense: consumer rights, environmental protection, human rights, free elections, transparency, accountability, rotation of power and national independence. This week's Soapbox speaker is professor of political science at Helwan University.
