- Introduction
Identification and History
- Yemen is one of the poorest countries in Asia recording the lowest gross domestic products. Most of the people are unemployed, illiterate, and poor.
- Political instability and internal conflicts have contributed largely to the problems Yemen is facing.
- The most recent incident was the Arab uprising which spilled to Yemen early 2011. Protestors took the street to protest against unemployment, corruption, and poor economy.
- The Arab uprising began in Egypt and it spread to the neighboring countries, Yemen being one of them. Internal conflicts have been experienced in the country for many years.
- There have been disputes over the oil reserves in Yemen. These conflicts have increased tensions between the northern and southern part of Yemen.
Thesis
- Yemen needs to address the problems before they escalate. In 2011, the inflation rates shot up and this adversely affected its economy.
- The country must first embrace good governance to create a conducive environment for conducting business ultimately attracts foreign investors.
- The government should decentralize, and federal system is seen as a perfect solution. The government should establish a program that will ensure that people get education.
- The government should also get new markets for its products such as African countries to promote trade in the region.
- Attract Foreign Investment
- Federal system
- Political instability discourages foreign investments. For Yemen to attract foreign investor, it must ensure that it has a stable government.
- Lebanon is governed using parliamentary system, but it has faced many challenges since the civil war hence is not a good option for Yemen.
- Egypt has not set a good example since the recent revolution which saw the country being taken over by the army.
- Yemen should use a federal government system. The northern and southern parts of Yemen are in constant conflicts due to unfair distribution of power by a centralized government.
- Federalism will ensure that the resources are reallocated between the two parts in a fair way. This will reduce the rift between the south and north reducing conflicts.
- Elect new leaders in Elections
- The country must choose new leaders through elections.
- The country is governed by the elite who control oil reserves and most business. The policies that are made serve the interest of the elite.
- This has increased levels of poverty increasing the gap between the poor and rich.
- Elections in Lebanon are held every four years giving people a chance to choose new leaders. Egypt held its elections in 2012 after overthrowing Mubarak, former president in the revolution.
- Yemen should choose new leaders who have shown high levels of integrity. It should review the constitution to ensure that leaders are held accountable for actions.
- Increase Industry
- Improve Education System
- A report showed that most people in Yemen are illiterate. The country has inadequate skilled workers.
- There is a need to improve the education system, as well, build new schools.
- Some international NGOs have taken the initiative to start schools in Yemen.
- Through education, the country will have a pool of skilled workers who can work in industries.
- Yemen compared to the neighboring countries performs poorly in the education sector. Most people in Egypt are literate and have acquired skills through learning. The government has ensured that people can easily access education by building schools in different areas. In addition, some people migrate to Egypt in search for jobs hence it has a pool of skilled workers.
- Yemen should build schools to encourage people to join schools. It should also give financial assistance to poor students to reduce the number of school drop outs as a result of poverty.
- Entrepreneurship
- The government should come up with projects that aim at training the youth and women on establishing businesses.
- It should also give funds to people who have ideas. In an effort to solve unemployment problems in Egypt the Trade an Industry Minster in Egypt encouraged entrepreneurship. Youth benefited from some of the projects the minister developed.
- Increase Regional Trade
- Trade Agreements
- Egypt has signed several trade agreements. In 2001, it signed a partnership agreement with European Union which aimed at increasing exports to European nations. It is also part of COMESA , and GAFTA agreements. In addition, it has signed deals with individual Arab countries such as Saudi Arabia.
- These trade agreements have improved boosted trade. Yemen should make trade agreements with other countries. It can join trade unions such as COMESA to increase trading activities. It should enter into agreements with its neighboring countries such as Egypt.
- Solving Internal Conflicts
- Yemen conflicts are as a result of gap between the rich and poor. The government should address the main issues that cause internal conflicts.
- Wealth should be redistributed to create equality. This will reduce the rift between the north and south reducing conflicts.
- The country should also seek international intervention to solve military based conflicts. Egypt military conflicts have been solved through the intervention of the international community.
- The international community also ended the civil war between Lebanon and Syria. Yemen does not have a well equipped army and getting help from the international community will end civil wars.
- Conclusion
- Yemen has an unstable governments and experiences several conflicts. Yemen can borrow ideas from neighboring countries to solve problems it is facing today.
- It should take measures to improve on its economy before the situation gets out of hand. The country should consider changing its unitary government system to a federal system.
- It should make trade agreements with its neighboring countries to boost trade.
- Improve education system
Endnotes
Carapico, Sheila. Civil Society in Yemen: The Political Economy of Activism in Modern Arabia. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2007.
Pg 2, par 2
Corstange, Daniel M. M. Institutions and Ethnic Politics in Lebanon and Yemen. Michigan: ProQuest, 2008.
pg 3 par. 1 and par. 2
Day, Stephen W. Regionalism and Rebellion in Yemen: A Troubled National Union. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2012.
Pg 1 point 3 and five
Annotated Bibliography
Carapico, Sheila. Civil Society in Yemen: The Political Economy of Activism in Modern Arabia. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2007.
Sheila describes political culture in Arab. She demonstrates how the views of conservative Arab Muslim Society have lead to an increase in civil wars. She explains how Yemen is imporoving political, economic, and social structures
Corstange, Daniel M. M. Institutions and Ethnic Politics in Lebanon and Yemen. Michigan: ProQuest, 2008.
Day, Stephen W. Regionalism and Rebellion in Yemen: A Troubled National Union. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2012.
This book discusses the Arab Uprising. The author describes how protestors planned the uprising since year 2007. It compares Yemen to the neighboring countries clearly outlining the impacts of the Arab uprising in Yemen and other Arab countries.
