The Discourse on the Discourse: A Critique

            In the Gulf News, on June 22, 2011, Dr. Abdulkhaleq Abdullah discussed the “discourse” on democracy in the UAE among Emiratis. In his article, Dr. Abdulkhaleq categorizes UAE society into three segments: against democracy, pro-democracy, and, as he calls them, the “silent segment of society.” He does correctly assert, however, that the absence of credible polls makes it difficult to determine where Emarati society as a whole stands on this issue; this is to say nothing of which Emaratis fall into each of those three categories. With all due respect to Dr. Abdulkhaleq Abdullah, it is surprising that these categories are based on little-to-no scientific evidence, or even a logical leap from what anyone who knows the UAE can readily observe.  The specifics of his argument bear closer examination: the devil is in the details.

            As Dr. Abdulkhaleq’s analysis segments Emarati society into the three categories mentioned above, the first question that comes to mind is: On what basis does he claim that each segment represents one-third of the Emirati population? Since Abdulkhaleq admits that there aren’t any polls that one can rely on, the numbers are clearly guesswork. This could perhaps be an accurate reflection of Emirati popular opinion had Dr. Abdulkhaleq done his own scientific polling research on the question; this seems highly unlikely at best. A student myself, I am sure that Dr. Abdulkhaleq, an active university professor, has always told his students that logical conclusions, as opposed to baseless opinions, must be supported by fact or rational argument; as I noted above: in this case, neither are found.  To be sure, an opinion may be defined as a belief or judgement that rests on grounds insufficient to produce complete certainty, and each one of us is entitled to his own opinion.  Nonetheless, there is a significant difference between the value of a baseless opinion, and one informed by fact. That said, the one-third per segment theory, as presented by Dr. Abdulkhaleq Abdullah, stands on fragile grounds.

            It is also interesting that Dr. Abdulkhaleq has monopolized the “educated elite” of Emarati society to his “pro-democracy” segment. However, he fails not only to define what he means by the educated elite, but his guesses as to their political inclinations entirely ignores the significant ties that such academically successful professionals have in the present social system, through personal interests, tribal interest, or their gratitude to, and thus support and confidence for, the UAE government. That said, for him to tag the entire educated elite to the “pro-democracy” segment is yet another highly questionable claim.  Rather, it may be more accurate to note that a limited number of university scholars, monopolizing the public discussion, are committed to radical political change toward a foreign competitive electoral political model.  As these scholars are active professors with students, their views may well have an effect on those students, but this hardly constitutes a unified “educated elite” who are pro-democracy. This leaves us with the other two-thirds: his “anti-democracy segment” and his “silent segment.”

Clearly, Dr. Abdulkhaleq goes to great lengths to draw a distinction between these “anti-democracy” and “silent” segments; however, a closer look would prove otherwise. First of all, we must establish that Emaratis who are happy and back the government are not “anti-democracy”, but simply do not see the need or the grounds for a competitive electoral democratic system in the UAE.  And they have great reason for concluding such: the level of dialogue between the Emirati people and their government, and their opportunity for direct influence and aid, are greater than those enjoyed by many classically “democratic” societies.  Additionally, Dr. Abdulkhaleq’s argument that this silent segment sways from one extreme to the other is, yet again, entirely unsupported by evidence. The very name of the segment, their trademark “silence,” gives the lie to this characterization of their political preferences: they, like their “anti-democracy” compatriots, are largely satisfied with the political and social rights and privileges they enjoy as citizens of this nation.  Even if we were to accept the “thirds” that Dr. Abdulkhaleq presents, this still places the vast majority of Emiratis squarely on the side of their government and its policies.

              In conclusion, as the democratic process in the UAE steadily progresses, and as studies by independent organizations such as the Gallup Center reaffirm that UAE nationals are amongst the most satisfied and optimistic in the world, what I cannot understand is why an educated, respectable, intelligent, and, most importantly, Emarati scholar such as Dr. Abdulkhaleq Abdullah would be disappointed, or feel it to be unfortunate, that the UAE has not wholesale imported an external democratic model to govern the relations between our citizens and the state. Is this what we should expect from Dr. Abdulkhaleq Abdullah: baseless editorials? At one point, I thought Dr. Abdulkhaleq would be my go-to person to educate myself on politics in the region, however, after this baseless and irrational op-ed that is aggressively advocating instant political change; I have been inclined to rethink my opinion on his work.  It is one thing to make an informed judgment based on all the facts available, and provide one’s best advice; we have all been grateful to our doctor for this service.  But I am reticent to believe my doctor’s recommendation that I need expensive drugs, when he owns the pharmacy that sells them to me!

This is not an attack on Abdulkhaleq, but rather a concern from one Emarati to another Emarati.  If one was to be slightly more irrational in drawing conclusions than the author, it might seem reasonable to conclude that Dr. Abdulkhaleq simply has a personal issue with the status quo.  A sorry reflection of the substantial body of scholarship we have come to expect from Dr. Abdulkhaleq to date, one must wonder: Is this the future of his contribution to the national discourse?

@Thabet_UAE