Brookings Fellow Cynthia Schneider has a great TED talk about how popular television shows like Afghan Idol and Poet of the Millions, which is broadcast throughout the Arab world, are changing tribal societies.  These merit-based competitions, with equal access to everyone and the winner selected via SMS voting, are reaching incredibly deep into society. People of all ages go to great lengths to watch the shows in private and public places, and become so engaged that they campaign for their favorite candidate.

These competitions have also opened up the door for women in their society.  Aydah Al Jahnani faced resistance from her tribe and family who urged her not to compete in Poet of the Millions.  But once she started to win they supported her again because, “It turns out that competition and winning is a universal human value.”  Her poetry is about women, and the fact that she is in competition with men sets an important example for young women.

These shows are also helping to build local indigenous culture and community.

Now you’d think that American Idol would introduce a measure of Americanization. But actually, just the opposite is happening.  By using this engaging popular format for traditional, local culture, it actually, in the Gulf, is precipitating a revival of interest in Nabati poetry, also in traditional dress and dance and music.  And for Afghanistan where the Taliban banned music for many years, it is reintroducing their traditional music.  They don’t sing pop songs, they sing Afghan music.  And they also have learned how to lose gracefully, without avenging the winner.  No small thing.