Article Review
Leon T. Hadar writes that the Arab Spring consists of uprisings against the government which are triggered by economic hardships (Tunisia and Egypt), religious and ethnic tensions (Syria and Bahrain) and tribal rivalries (Yemen and Libya). He opines that the elections which would take place in Egypt and Tunisia would enhance the power of the Islamist parties and thus propagate the tension between Christian Copts and Muslims. The economic liberalization of these two nations has been threatened by demands of imposing governmental control over parts of the national economy. Tribal clashes in Yemen, Libya and sectarian tensions in Syria have more to do with struggle for power among identity groups. Thus, the occurrences in the Middle East cannot be view simplistically as struggles for liberal democracy.
The Arab Spring Was Triggered by a Desire for Democracy and Social Justice
Rami G. Khouri opines that the two principle reasons behind the Arab awakening are “humiliation” and “legitimacy”. Ordinary civilians, mostly the youth, have assembled together to form the strong pillar of struggle against the governments which have failed them. That the youth is stirred by the status quo in the countries in the Middle East is testified by polling data. The uprisings aim to have a government which has the consent of the governed and oversees the betterment of the population. Accountability is taken as one of the omnipotent requirements of good governance. Social justice should also be high on the agenda of the government. Citizens are directly contesting for positions of power by forming groups. The common men have also forced the governments to engage in dialogues with them for reforming the constitutional systems of the nations. The Arab Spring is thus an audacious quest which has gained impetus.
