AUB student elections: why everyone lost

Those rejoicing over the results of student elections at AUB, which incidentally is my alma mater, need to stop and think twice about it all means. For this blogger, this is not a lesson in democracy or democratic governance, this is transposition of feudal and sectarian politics into a college campus. Casting ballots to pick someone based on their affiliation to outside parties with no agendas relevant to student life is unfortunate. AUB officials ought to protect the student body against this kind of theft of democratic principles. The leaders of tomorrow need to understand that improving the conditions of their constituents, not those of the lord outside the gate, should be their platform.  One person interviewed by Now Lebanon echoed this well:

Becky Katz, an American graduate student at AUB, who until Tuesday was a candidate for election among international students and has participated in student elections in the States, said that while it's understandable "given the dense and highly charged political environment that student activists want to begin playing a role, the student government is polarized by these parties and as a result is paralyzed… Students are unable to organize collectively and efficiently to advocate on their own behalf and improve student life."
 


"The initiatives of one party tend to be turned down by another just because of the national political divide," Katz added. "There's less of an emphasis on platform and more of an emphasis on simply which Lebanese party you side with."
 
She said the political divide created by student candidates who represent national parties also "creates problems after the elections, breeding an atmosphere of hostility and hindering the capacity of students to work together."

Nobody is saying students can’t have political affiliations. But what kind of message are we instilling in the new generation when we allow their student life to be polarized and paralyzed even before they are let out into a society they are entrusted with enriching and improving?

Of course, when even March 14 leaders hail the results of student elections as a “message” that validates their political agenda, there is little hope that one day, change will come to this little country, in a form that will preempt the kind of events that have rocked it since its inception.

Comments

[LebExile]

Lebanese politics and student politics in Lebanon is different than anywhere else - this is not necessarily a bad thing - every culture has it's differences..

OK, so Lebanon isn't perfect - which country is?? The US isn't perfect either - and there are many things in the politics of other countries that I would change too..

Student elections in Lebanon do mirror national elections and this also is not a bad thing either - what's to say that other countries should try emulate Lebanon a little - it's one hell of a country to live in - and as you can see - all the tourists are flocking to visit it!!

For a long time - I used to believe there is something fundamentally wrong with Lebnaon - thier politics and politicians are all nut cases - but, eventually - I just decided to accept it the way it is - and I can tell you - it feels a whole lot better and a lot less stressful reading the news.

[Solomon2]

"when even March 14 leaders hail the results of student elections as a “message” that validates their political agenda"

Exactly. The current crop of Lebanese politicians feels insecure. They do not feel legitimate, they feel they need validation.

Don't give it to them. Start anew.

[Bad Vilbel]

"But what kind of message are we instilling in the new generation when we allow their student life to be polarized and paralyzed even before they are let out into a society they are entrusted with enriching and improving?"

The same message the Lebanese society has been sending to its new generations for decades, unfortunately.