Only democracy can reform democracy

Responding to the many comparisons made in the press between Spain's youthful 15-M movement and the Arab Revolutions, Lluís Bassets, leader-writer for the Spanish daily El País, recognises that while there are common elements - generational change; use of social networks and the job- and hope-destroying economic crisis - the protesters are as ill-defined as their goals.

For this revolution to have a goal, it would have to have objectives as clear and difficult but as tangible as the departure of Ben Ali or of Mubarak. Arab youth want to vote as we do while our youth are calling for a voter boycott. That is the difference: when a revolution opposes everything, it loses its goals and ends up challenging nothing. It finds itself meaningless.

Bassets reviews the demonstrators' demands - change voting laws; organise primaries; oust corrupt politicians once and for all; higher taxes for the rich and social services for the poor.

All of this is praiseworthy but it has nothing to do with removing dictators. What's to be done? Who will draw-up and implement all these reforms? How can an anaemic democracy by revived

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But if Bassets contends that this revolution has no goals, he does admit that it “makes sense”. He sees -

... the protest [...] as a symptom and an encouragement. [...], the organisers, who favour democratic debate and militant action through peaceful means, are exercising their right to demonstrate and to express themselves. They want to perfect the system although they give the impression of attacking it. They are engaged in pure politics - even if they are accused of being anti-political. The leaders want to capitalise on the unease and the dissatisfaction. They can be satisfied, they have succeeded. But the responses to the many questions they pose must be provided, both before and after elections, by party leaders.

We should elect these with greater discernment and submit them to greater accountability rather than letting them get away with things. But they are the ones that can change those things that displease us. And for them to be able to do so, one must vote.