People Power Is not Democracy

Hosni Mubarak has left, Egypt is suddenly engulfed in celebrations of freedom, and bystanders in the rest of the world rejoice - and some also worry.

Regardless of what the spirit of Tahrir Square seems to be, "people power" is not democracy. People power is the power to block, to stop the country from working, to prevent the exercise of formal power. It served well to topple the dictator. 

But the demonstrating masses cannot act. To act they need organization, the selection of transitional leaders, reform of the constitution, and time to bring information to the people in preparation for ordinary elections. Democracy is not everybody rules, but choosing rulers who can govern well or be thrown out in the next elections.

Hopefully, the army can lead the first part of the transition to democracy in a peaceful and responsible manner, and leave the people to choose a transitional civilian leader in September. Several outspoken figures with outstanding credentials have already marked their presence on the field - Amr Moussa and ElBaradei among them. This chance for Egypt must not be wasted.