Completely new system [Archives:2003/675/Opinion]

By Sam Ashuraey
For Yemen Times
Yemen is a county with an extremely complex society that can not be governed by using a system previously devised for other societies. Rather, it needs a governmental system designed especially for it. A democracy or republic, such as the ones used in both America and France after their revolutions is unsuited for such a vastly different country. The main reasons for this are that religion plays such a strong role, women traditionally have had and still do have minimal rights, and tribes, previously ruling themselves as private entities, can not be well integrated in such systems. Thus, the more or less -standard- democratic system- implemented in Yemen has proven to have too many gaps for it to be effective.
Extreme solutions for these societal complexities have been practiced and attempted in the past, such as the complete removal of religion from the government in Turkey and former President Al-Hamdi's attempt to completely strip the tribes of their power. However, I believe this is wrong because such solutions attempt to remove important societal and cultural identities. Rather, these identities should be a main part of a new government.
Islam has such a strong influence on Yemeni society that it would be virtually impossible for it to have no role in any government of Yemen. Religion, however, in order to keep an effective government, should not be incorporated into the government except as basic principles. If it were, the standard of governing would be the religious convictions of individuals rather than tolerance, equality, and freedom, as it should be.
Despite the superficial appearance of women gaining more rights in Yemen, especially recently, realistically, it will be very difficult, if not impossible, for women to gain an important voice in the government, not just placing a few token women for appearance. Logically they should, considering they constitute approximately one half of the population. If a new government were implemented, it should indubitably have some sort of women's parliament. Having such a parliament would ensure women a significant voice in government because they have a council to voice it with.
An even more crucial issue however, is that of the tribes. The existence of tribes is the most difficult part of trying to implement a previously devised governmental system and the main reason for the need of a new system. They constitute a large part of the population and are an enormously important part of Yemeni society. Historically, tribes have ruled themselves quite democratically as separate entities without getting too involved in the central government. With the current government, this has led to too many clashes between tribes and the government, usually ending up with the government's frustration. Therefore, to successfully integrate tribes into a new (hypothetical) Yemeni system, they too should have their own parliament. By having such a parliament, tribes will have a voice in government issues, thereby eliminating many of the conflicts between the government and tribes.
Obviously, this is only a very surface solution to Yemen's struggle for an effective government; the design of an in- depth one will probably fill several thick books. A government system that incorporates well the unique social structure of Yemen is needed. However, attempting to place a governmental system designed to work in societies quite different from our own is ridiculous, and time has proven that.
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