A Yemeni Political Topology

The mathematical science of Topology studies the spatial properties of objects undergoing continuous deformation such as stretching a rubber sheet without tearing it. Such deformation changes the configuration of the object in space and therefore in space-time. An example of such continuous deformation is changing a coffee cup into a doughnut and vice versa. The term topology is borrowed from mathematics into everything. For example: the physical topology of a computer network refers to the configuration of cables, computers, printers and other peripherals in a given computer network which can be changed at any time.

Based on above, I will introduce to the reader the term “Political Topology”. It refers to the configuration of political entities in a given national political landscape. These entities are political leaders, political parties, organizations and programmers as well as ties and relationships among them. In general this definition of Political Topology is very useful in the understanding of any political situation, particularly in Yemen. The Yemeni Political Topology is a superposition of a complex and non-complex deformation processes. An example of that is the way significant number of the ruling party (GPC) members of parliament associate themselves with the opposition particularly within the Consultative Meeting Group (CMG)  to the degree that they oppose the Government more than the opposition itself.

That is a topological deformation of the GPC (part of it) into the CMG. Another example is the recent trouble within the CMG. What is happening is that credible members of the CMG such as Mr. Abdullbari Taher, Ms. Tawakul Karman and others have resigned accusing the leadership of the CMG of running its business as if it was owned by its Secretary General. They say the CMG is becoming exactly what they are opposed to, a central concentration of powers in one hand. This example is rather topological in nature just like an object continually deforming to become its own opposite. They say that the CMG, practically speaking, is losing its oppositional legitimacy. They are right, because if the opposition becomes so undemocratic that all it wants is to take power, then it has no legitimate right to oppose non-democratic actions by the Government. This rather funny and bizarre case is truly a Yemeni Political Topology at its best and may partially explain the political mess the country is in.   

Moustafa Bahran
Professor of Physics (qmbahran@yahoo.com)
Ex-Minister of Electricity and Energy  
 1 In relativistic Physics, time is part of space.
 2 The CMG contains in it the main opposition parties contained within the Joint Meeting Parties.

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