Lessons from the Middle East uprising and Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant

As we watch events unfold in the Arab world, particularly in Tunisia, Egypt and Libya, and as we helplessly wait and watch, dreading the potential catastrophic outcome of the spread of radiation from the stricken Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant in Japan if its container vessel casings pop, I realize that there are a few lessons to be learned from those situations. 

1.  Long term leadership is archaic
Democratic governments like drug traffickers know that change is the name of the game. Decisions must be quick and actions swift but never loosing sight of one's raison d'etre. There is something inherently wrong with one individual ruling a nation for twenty plus years.  To  most westerners living under a state of emergency for one year is incomprehensible much less for over ten years as was the case in some of these Arab states. Times have changed and continue to change. The changing times calls for a change in leadership providing new perspectives. Operating on concepts, ideologies and strategies of the 1920s, 40s, 50s or 60s is absolutely delusional. 

2.  Being proactive is best
Most books on management emphasis the importance of being proactive as opposed to being reactive. An effective leader needs to be a visionary, among other characteristics. Clearly, this has not been the case in the Arab world.  Why would leaders of some of those Arab countries make reforms in the wake of events taking place in their neighboring countries? Why could these reforms not have taken place years or (decades) earlier?


3. Keep the masses happy
Whether we perceive the masses to be daft, stupid or clueless about their constitutional rights or the lack thereof it is imperative to keep the masses happy. Distributing the nation's wealth only among the leaders' cronies, supporters and military while the rest of the population lives in dire poverty is a recipe for social unrest. 


4.The world is more connect than ever before
As we continue to destroy our world through our inconsiderate actions we get an insight into how connected we all are.  Radioactivity linked to the crippled nuclear power plant in Japan is alleged to have been discovered in the UK.  Although the Japanese government has tried to assure everyone of the low health risk associated with the radiation leaks and the safety of food in and around Japan, Japanese remain suspicious.