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Social and Behavioral Sciences Commons™
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Full-Text Articles in Social and Behavioral Sciences
How And Why Do Dictatorships Survive? Lessons For The Middle East, Erica Frantz
How And Why Do Dictatorships Survive? Lessons For The Middle East, Erica Frantz
Bridgewater Review
Political events in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) have dominated news headlines for the past two years. Since the revolution in Tunisia in December 2010, one dictatorship after the next has appeared on the verge of collapse, as citizens gather en masse to voice their demands for democratic governance. In countries such as Libya and Egypt, though relatively successful democratic elections were held following the collapse of long-standing dictatorships, it is uncertain whether the new political system being installed will be democratic or autocratic. When looking to the future of the region beyond the Arab Spring, one thing …
Will The Arab Spring Succeed In Bringing Bread, Freedom, And Dignity?, Sandra Popiden
Will The Arab Spring Succeed In Bringing Bread, Freedom, And Dignity?, Sandra Popiden
Bridgewater Review
Economic discontent fueled the political dissatisfaction that erupted in the Arab Spring uprisings in Tunisia, Egypt, Libya, and Yemen in 2011. Demonstrators blamed repressive authoritarian governments for slow economic growth, increasing poverty and social inequality, high youth unemployment and rampant corruption. Alongside demands for increased political freedom, greater participation in politics, and an end to repression were calls for economic freedom and improved well-being. The uprisings, which spawned democracy in Tunisia, Egypt, and Libya, continue to reverberate across the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) by opening up previously closed public spaces to wider popular participation in national debates over …
Social Media And Political Changes In Al-Alam Al-Arabi, Jabbar Al-Obaidi
Social Media And Political Changes In Al-Alam Al-Arabi, Jabbar Al-Obaidi
Bridgewater Review
The Arab countries are typically described as lacking democratic traditions, freedom of the press, human rights and civil liberties. The utilization of social media for political purposes became crucial to the widespread expression of pent-up social discontent that precipitated the Arab Spring. Uploaded videos, photos, and Twitter feeds served to outrage people in Tunisia, Egypt, Libya, Yemen, Bahrain, and Syria. This volatile combination of a young population, authoritarian rule, corruption and poverty is prompting youth to spearhead political demonstrations and the demand for regime change.