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Arab Spring and its proliferation: A Critical Analysis
Danish Gulzar
Lovely Professional University, Punjab, India, 144411
Email: danishgulzar3@gmail.com
Contact No.: +919797115995
Date of Submission: 08-03-2021
Abstract
Arab spring was one of major world events that took place in Tunisia and spread across the
Arab Authoritarian regimes. The paper takes a bird’s eye view of the Arab Spring and looks
at various aspects and reasons like Social, Political and Economic ones. Many reasons
culminated into what was one of the most pertinent events in the history of Arab world. The
Arab world was shaking up and one after other regime was falling under popular pressure.
How did it start and what were the reasons behind the uprising? This paper shall try to
highlight those issues and discuss various aspects of it.
Key Words: Arab Spring, Tunisia, Democracy, Regimes, Authoritarianism
Introduction
The aim of this paper is to investigate the causes of Arab uprisings in Middle Eastern
countries. It also discusses the events of civil uprisings that resulted in the overthrow of
certain rulers. Furthermore, this paper attempts to forecast the impact of these widespread
demonstrations on the area as well as neighbouring nations. It also looks at how social media
was used during the demonstrations and how it aided in the dissemination of information
about the events. It goes on to say that during these uprisings and civil wars, revolutionaries
were able to depose long-serving authoritarian rulers in Tunis, Libya, and Egypt, while
residents of Oman, Saudi Arabia, and Egypt were given certain economic and social rights.
Furthermore, it is revealed that Tunisia was one of the Arab Spring casualties who was able
to reap the true benefits of the revolt when the rest of the countries were unable to reach their
full potential.
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The term "Arab Spring" was coined by the American political academic journal
"Foreign Policy" to describe the latest Arab uprisings (Abusharif, 2014). This term was
coined by Marc Lynch, an American political scientist, in an article published in the journal
"Foreign Policy." Arab Spring was a movement of violent and violence less protests and civil
wars started from Tunis on December 18, 2010 and extended all over the Arab world (Terrill,
2011). It was against the long-term despotic rules of the authoritarian rulers, continuous state
of emergency in which Police and the Interior Ministry had excessive powers to crush the
people, unemployment, poverty, inflation, etc. Social media was used in all countries where
there these protests took place to get the attention of world community. All the regimes which
were affected by the Arab Spring used their powers vehemently to crush the demonstrators
and consequently the peaceful protesters also became violent. The common slogan of the
protesters throughout Arab Spring was “the people want to bring down the regime” (Aissa,
2012).
Objectives of the Study
Objectives define the main aims of the research area and show the interests where the title
shall lead the researcher. Nevertheless, the objectives of this paper are as: -
▪ To highlight the reasons for Arab Spring.
▪ To analyse and investigate Social, economic and Political reasons behind Arab
Spring.
Methodology
This paper shall look into the reasons of Arab spring and nuance it social, political and
economic dimensions. This paper is based on Secondary data available in journals, Books
and News Papers which have in various times analysed Arab Spring but highlight its one
dimension only. Besides various interviews through emails were arranged with various
academicians of various universities.
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Causes of the Arab Spring
1. The economic causes: Economic causes can be classified into further sub-divisions
i. Role of global crisis: The economic condition of the Middle Eastern and North
African countries is heterogeneous. They are different in their progressive level and
economic structure. The GDP level of oil exporting states is far high from the other
countries of the region. The income of some countries like that of Libya and Algeria is
based upon their oil and gas export while some others’ like Egypt, Morocco and
Tunisia on manufacturing and tourism (Akram, 2011). North African states of the
region have brought some reforms in their economies with the support of IMF and
World Bank since 1990s (Khalili, Schwedler, Zartman & Eid, 2011). The public sectors
have been privatized in these states and governmental interference has been decreased
in the financial sectors. The downfall in oil prices during 2008-9 directly affected the
oil exporting as well as other countries of the region badly (Muller & Hubner, 2014).
Europe and America, which used to import manufactured goods from the region,
decreased their demand during the crisis.
ii. Role of Food crisis: The role of food crises and high prices in political instability has
long been recognized, especially in poor countries that must depend on food from other
countries. During the years 2007-2008, Arab countries such as Yemen, Morocco,
Tunisia, and Egypt were subjected to public demonstrations as a result of rising food
prices (Ansani & Daniele, 2012). In the two years leading up to the Arab Spring, the
affected countries' inflation rates ranged from 25 to 30 percent (Muller & Hubner,
2014). The high inflation rate did not have as much of an effect on oil-producing
countries. Since there is still a connection between food prices and food insurgencies,
the North African region was particularly hard hit by the high prices. Much of this
contributes to the region's civil instability.
iii. Role of Unemployment: In 2010, unemployment in Morocco, Egypt, and Tunisia
rose due to a decrease in the manufacturing of various products (Tucker, 2012).
According to the circumstances in the North African region, the unemployment rate
was just around 10%, which was not much worsening. One of the most significant
causes of the Arab Spring was youth unemployment, especially among women. The
Arab countries have the lowest female labour force participation rate in the world
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(Barany, 2011). One out of every four young Egyptians and Tunisians was unemployed
on the eve of the Arab Spring. In addition to lowering demand, the population boom
resulted in an increase in unemployment. This had a negative impact on North African
nations, as the average age of the population declined. Because of mass unemployment,
young people make up more than a third of the labour force (The Economist
Intelligence Unit, 2011).
2. The social causes
Although the Middle Eastern and North African states are economically and
politically diverse, there are certain characteristics that they share. Due to the fact that the
entire region's population is composed of people aged 15 to 29, the youth unemployment rate
is high (A BBC Report, 2012). Over the last three decades, the city has made significant
strides in terms of education. This socioeconomic status influenced social change, especially
in the direction of democratization. History shows that nations with a large young population
are unafraid of uprisings, military violence, and civil wars. During the 1990s, nations with a
young demographic were three times more likely than those with an older population to
experience civil unrest (Terrill, 2011). Under the influence of the youth bulge, South Africa,
Costa Rica, and Jamaica formed democracy.
Another significant element in social progress and democratic procedure is education.
In the modernization philosophy of democratization, education, along with economic growth,
holds a central role. The electoral process is aided by higher educational levels. Over the last
three decades, education performance rate in Middle Eastern and North African countries
have increased (Aissa, 2012).
i. Political freedoms and economic inequalities
The popular Arab riots can be explained from a political economy perspective
by examining the people's social demand for more political and civil rights. People in
the country, especially the youth, asked their governments to improve their social and
economic conditions by providing services such as education and jobs, but the
governments did not listen, leading to uprisings. To implement structural reform
procedures, the MENA states pursued a programme of privatization of public sectors,
trade liberalization, and deregulation (Soherwordi and Akram, 2011). Though structural
changes have aided South Africa's economic growth, the middle class and the bulk of
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the youth have been left out. It also opposed political changes aimed at protecting the
commons' human rights. It merely strengthened existing authoritarian regimes while
obstructing democratic progress. Fundamental human rights such as the freedom to
vote, liberty, speech, and association have been stifled by ongoing emergency measures
declared by Tunisia and other nations (Muller & Hubner, 2014).
The rulers of North African states have always had access to excellent
infrastructure. Egypt's Mubarak, Libya's Gaddafi, and Tunisia's Ben Ali family are all
examples (Rozsa, 2012). These states' armies and religious figures wielded enormous
power. This states' power and money is concentrated in a few hands. Corruption in the
market for the acceptance of natural resource extraction was encouraged by a lack of
justice and the continuation of awkward and ineffective regulatory schemes.
ii. The role of social media
Mostly during Arab Spring demonstrations, governments of various states
attempted, but failed, to avoid the disturbances by promising demonstrators
redistribution of wealth. Tunisia, Libya, and Egypt were all affected. The knowledge
cascade occurs as individuals observe others' behaviours and then plan to participate in
them. If a majority of citizens revolt, the authorities are deposed by revolution. Since
intelligence plays such an important role in protests, today's undemocratic regimes
suppress it. With the ‘information cascade' paradigm, the role of the internet and social
media, such as Facebook and Twitter, in the Arab Spring can be debated (Muller &
Hubner, 2014). Many observers consider the position of Arab media in the Arab
Spring. Al-Jazeera and Al-Arabia were two powerful media networks that were in
charge of both rebel intelligence dissemination and news delivery around the world.
The Arab Spring was dubbed "social network movements" by the mainstream.”
(Tucker, 2012).
Egypt and Tunisia are two of the region's most populous countries, with large
numbers of internet users (Tucker, 2012). In these nations, social media and the
internet, as well as mobile phones, played an important role in sustaining uprisings.
Members of these social networks disseminated news and images around the world,
preventing regional governments from censoring the internet and other social media
platforms. In regions where protests occurred, Egypt's Hosni Mubarak's government
shut down the networks for five days (Ansani and Daniele, 2012). The Qaddafi
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government in Libya cut the telephonic networks of the demonstration region prior to
the outbreak of the riots. Despite the policies of the region's leaders, the Arab world's
mass media played a critical part in spreading the revolutions.
iii. Discrimination against Ethnic and Religious Minorities
Stereotyping against ethnic and religious minorities is rampant in the city, and it
was one of the main drivers of the Arab Spring. Different cultures and religions coexist
in the Middle East region, but ethnic and religious tensions sometimes arise, especially
in areas where minorities are considered unimportant. The majority of Muslims in the
Middle East are Shia and Sunni Muslims, although there are also several other ancient
faiths and sects. Ancient tribal groups and faiths include Alawite in Syria, Druze in
Lebanon, Baha'is in Iran, and Copts in Egypt (Soherwordi&Akram, 2011). Arabs make
up the majority of Middle Eastern ethnic groups, with Turkmens, Armenians,
Assyrians, and Kurds making up the minority.
Ethnic minorities have been persecuted in various countries at various times,
such as by Saddam Hussein in Iraq, sectarian tensions between Shia and Sunni in Iran,
Syria, and Iraq in the twenty-first century (Rozsa, 2012). Since the leaders of certain
Middle Eastern states belong to a minority religious group, they are despised by the
general population. Syria's and Iraq's rulers are two examples. Syrian President Bashar
Al-Assad belongs to the Alawite sect, which some Muslims deem un-Islamic (Tucker,
2012). In the city, gender inequality was also at an all-time high. Women's interests
were not adequately protected. Minorities had a chance to voice their grievances and
demand equal treatment as a result of the Arab revolt. The protests were, however,
brought to a halt by secular and democratic powers.
3. Sudden cause; Self-immolation of Mohamed Bouazizi
Both of the above causes of the Arab Spring are right, but these were the original
grounds and causes. The death of Mohamed Bouazizi created an instantaneous basis for the
people of several Arab countries to rebel against despotic rulers. Mohamed Bouazizi was a
Tunisian street hawker. On December 17, 2010, he self-immolated as a protest after his
belongings were taken away and he was insulted by a female municipal official. His
assassination paved the way for the Tunisian Revolution and the Arab Spring to take over.
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People began protesting and rioting in response to the region's current problems. On January
14, 2011, Tunisians deposed long-time President Zane El Abidine Ben Ali, who had served
for 23 years (Ansani and Daniele, 2012).
Since so many of the Arab Spring's activities are already happening, it's difficult to foresee
what will happen in the streets and in polling booths. Though, given the long-term awakening
process, at least strategically and diplomatically, several points can be expected.
i. Removal of the Authoritarian Rulers from Tunis, Libya, and Egypt
The totalitarian rulers presided over the majority of the Middle Eastern
nations. Some of them have been in power for decades. The overthrow of these long-
term autocrats was the first and most important result of the Arab Spring. Any of them
have used so-called polls to legitimize their regimes as democratic, despite the fact that
they were not. Zein El Abidine is a Tunisian politician. Tunisian President Ben Ali was
the first dictator in the Middle East to resign as a result of the Arab Spring. He
remained in office for about 23 years before being forced to resign on January 14, 2011,
when demonstrations against him grew as a result of economic crises (Ryan, 2011).
Tunis proclaimed a state of emergency, and then-Prime Minister Mohammed
Ghannouchi took over as acting President. Ben Ali emigrated to Saudi Arabia from
Tunisia. After Tunisia, Libya was the next country to fall prey to the Arab Spring.
Protests erupted against Muammar al-Qaddafi, Libya's long-serving president
who is both elected and autocratic. In contrast to other Arab kings, Qaddafi was not
seen as a puppet of the West. He never set national interests down for the sake of the
interests of international powers. He redistributed money among the country's citizens
while further enriching his own relatives. He attempted to demonstrate his autocratic
authority as the riots spread across Libya, but the uprisings were widespread. His daily
troops and mercenaries attempted but failed to cover the situation. NATO has launched
an assault on the government, ostensibly to protect civilians and those fighting for
democracy against the autocratic dictator (MacFARQUHAR, 2011). On October 20,
2011, NTC and NATO forces discovered Qaddafi wounded and hiding in a compound,
and he died the same day. (Kareem Fahim, 2011).
After Libya, the revolution that began in Tunis reached Egypt. President Hosni
Mubarak was in charge of Egypt at the time. Egypt's National Police Day was observed
on January 25th, and a large number of Egyptians assembled to turn the day into a
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demonstration day (Asser, 2011). The unending corruption, inequality throughout the
region, deteriorating economic conditions, persistent state of emergency, excessive
emergency powers of the Home Ministry and Police, and President Hosni Mubarak's
repressive rule for the past thirty years guided these peaceful citizens (Shenker, 2011).
A small group of demonstrators' agitation developed into a nationwide movement that
spanned the entire world. Mubarak's efforts to persuade the protestors to agree by
naming Omer Suleiman as his vice president on January 29th, replacing the old cabinet
with a new one on January 31st, and pledging not to run for President again with his
son Gamal failed (Kirkpatrick, 2011).
Mubarak was forced to withdraw after massive protests on February 11.
Tantawi's Supreme Council of Armed Forces seized power, dissolved the assembly,
and then revoked the constitution (McGreal& Shenker, 2011).
ii. Grant of Political and Social Rights
The rulers of Oman, Saudi Arabia, Morocco, and Bahrain gave social and
economic privileges to their people in light of the fates of Bin Ali, Qadhafi, and Hosni
Mubarak. It assisted them in preventing their men from following in the footsteps of
Tunisians, Libyans, and Egyptians (Stepan and Linz, 2013). The deterioration of the
situation in Syria and Yemen is also a part of the Arab Spring.
iii. Development of Public Political Sphere
In the end, despite all of its flaws, the Arab Spring marked the emergence of a
public political space in which ordinary citizens could debate politics in public spaces,
as well as their expectations for the future and efforts to achieve democratic change in
the Arab world. The birth of the Arab man was one of the Arab Spring's great triumphs.
iv. Impacts on the surrounding states
When the inhabitants of Tahrir Square forced Egypt's long-serving repressive President
Hosni Mubarak to resign, Middle Eastern politicians had to choose between reactive
and constructive approaches. At the triumph festivities in Tahrir Square for the
overthrow of Hosni Mubarak, the leaders of a host of Arab states pledged to deal with
the civil unrest with iron fists.(Middle East War and Peace Home Page, 2011). Civil
wars erupted in Yemen, Libya, and Syria, influencing subsequent events. This was the
reactionary strategy. The representatives of Saudi Arabia and Morocco took a
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constructive approach. Saudi King Abdullah unveiled a $US36 billion financial
package to bring aid to Saudi families to prevent them from being involved in the
continuing Arab civil unrest. Local media and other industries applauded it. Moroccan
King Mohamed VI took a proactive stance by instituting constitutional changes in order
to enact a new constitution that would structure the country's future political and social
climate. (Khalili, 2011).
v. Impacts on Arab League and GCC
Internal strife also afflicted the Arab League, which played a key role in the
Arab Spring. Some Arab League members adopted a double standard, endorsing
protestors against rulers in some countries but also supporting rulers in other countries
against protesters. The Gulf Cooperation Council has played a role in Arab upheavals
by sending troops to Yemen to rescue President Ali Abdullah Saleh, and then agreeing
to conclude an arrangement with both sides (Abdullah, 2012). Within the GCC, some
reforms were seen as a result of the Arab Spring.
iv. International Reactions
The Arab Spring was hailed by the international community as a successful
effort at democracy. People from various countries had to announce the demonstrations
as the true voices for democracy as they became more unified. Various schools of
thought expressed their opinions on the move. The main powers analyzed the condition
as well in order to gain an edge. As a result of their heavy investment in Libya's oil-rich
region, China and Russia had Qaddafi's support. In the other side, US-led NATO forces
targeted and killed him in order to gain opposition confidence and support (Abdelhadi,
2011). Syria was the only and last client of Russia in the region. Russia started to
support the Syrian leader Bashar al-Assad to keep their influence here.
Conclusion
The causes of Arab uprisings in Middle Eastern countries were investigated in this
article. Citizens in the majority of Middle Eastern states were governed by long-term tyrant
dictators who claimed to be elected by the people. Tunisian President Zein El Abidine Bin
Ali, Libyan President Muammar al Qadhafi, and Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak were all
deposed as a result of mass popular demonstrations against their autocratic rulers. Following
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his deposition, the Libyan President was targeted by NATO troops, along with civilians, and
as a result, he was deposed. This paper further discusses the ramifications of these civil wars
and uprisings. Tunisia was one of the Arab Spring's victim nations, but it was able to enact a
new constitution with a shared and cooperative census. The remaining states are yet to reach
their full potential. To sum up, the Arab Spring is neither completely successful nor
completely unsuccessful. It takes a long time to accurately forecast the outcome of the
uprisings.
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