What does Egypt need: A manager or a controller?

manipulation. We used to contain and influence a number of regional countries by offering a solid perspective and persuading them to adopt a common goal. Obviously, we cannot control other nations; thus, after losing our talented political manipulators, our regional clout has diminished greatly.

In the current era, when the internet and social media play a significant role in shaping society, manipulation may be more effective than control. Opposing arguments disseminated on social media often attack the mechanism of control, weakening the controller’s hold on the reins, and consequently his grip on power. Manipulation, in contrast, views social media as a tool; so it works on mobilizing citizens by presenting effective threads and content.

The major disadvantage of social mobilization through control occurs when the commander loses his grip on society, leaving unguided citizens to be driven by their limited capacity, disrupting society. Manipulation, however, leaves enough room for citizens to think and act on their own and to work for the benefit of the nation — there is even room for accepting and adopting their efforts and initiatives. Many of today’s politicians who wholeheartedly support the president and feel that they are strengthening his administration are actually dragging the administration down.

In Egypt, we are quite slow to determine whether our operating method is functioning effectively. Egyptian politicians tend to work with the technique with which they are familiar and comfortable — which is not necessarily the most appropriate method for our current challenges or for the present era. In my view, politics is about manipulation and management; our politicians need to convince their followers of their vision, period.

QMohammed Nosseir, a liberal politician from Egypt, is a strong advocate of political participation and economic freedom. Twitter: @MohammedNosseir