Al Qaeda shows it lacks popular legitimacy

Groups linked to Al Qaeda do not have popular support so they seek to rule by violence.

During the optimistic early days of the Arab Spring, there was a lot of talk about how the popular uprisings were a repudiation of the philosophy of Al Qaeda.

Optimism is now an increasingly rare commodity in the nations that overthrew – or are still trying to overthrow – despotic regimes. In the meantime, Al Qaeda’s influence is once again strong.

But the resurgence of groups that align themselves to Al Qaeda should not be confused with popular support for their philosophy.

Some people in Arab countries are in favour of strongly religious governments of the kind seen in Iran. But the simple reality is they are vastly outnumbered by those who support more secular-leaning governments that are capable of creating the economic conditions where those willing to work hard can get ahead and provide for their families.

It is worth remembering that the Arab Spring was fuelled primarily by the desire of everyday people for opportunity and dignity.

The calls for democracy were mostly seen as a way to end the kleptocracies that reserved the riches for well-connected members of the ruling class instead of the ones with the skills and commitment to work for it.

By contrast, groups linked to Al Qaeda thrive when there is an absence of effective government rather than offering a viable alternative to it.

Any group that shares Al Qaeda’s murderous means will not provide the economic growth and social stability that is sought desperately by people throughout this region.

Iraq was not part of the Arab Spring but the same dynamic applies to everyday people’s aspirations there, just as it does in places like Egypt, Tunisia, Yemen and Syria.

Recent bombings by groups linked to Al Qaeda in Iraq show what is at stake.

The groups arrived when many in the country shared their opposition to the US-led occupation. But now that foreign forces have left, they are finding Al Qaeda-linked groups are prepared to use violence on the majority of the Iraqis who do not support their goal of creating a new caliphate.

The lack of effective governance has allowed these groups to become established. But just like the despotic regimes that were overturned by the masses during the Arab Spring, groups linked to Al Qaeda that have to rely on violence and oppression to rule merely demonstrate that they lack any kind of popular legitimacy.