Arab Spring Flashcards
Introduction
- History
- key details of Arab Spring
- outcomes
Complex to understand the root causes of the Arab Spring, part of historically rooted structural factors including regime change, independence, wars and peace negotiations.
During 1990’s western states pursued for democratisation economic liberalisation but western interests prevailed over genuine democratisation efforts. Avoided confrontation of human rights abuses to maintain stable and low oil prices.
The Arab spring kicked off in December 2010 in Tunisia and spread across the Arab world, overthrowing 4 Arab leaders in Tunisia, Egypt, Libya and Yemen. People were driven by despair due to a lack of opportunities and restricted political liberties.
The success of the Arab Spring is mixed with initial huge optimism for progress. But Syria and Yemen are experiencing civil wars and increasing sectarian and radical Islamism is raising concerns for the rest.
Tunisia: Introduction
Started when Muhammed Bouazizi set himself alight in front of government building after repeated police harassment. Portrayed general feelings of socio-economic injustices from the autocratic government.
Ben Ali came to power in 1987 and stayed for 23 years before fleeing. He originally faced mounting pressure against the Ennahda party so had to rule with an “iron fist” to maintain control against signs of dissent.
A build-up of historical frustration can be argued to have caused the riots. A total of 338 people died in uprising against Ben Ali.
Tunisia: Economic Situation
1984 – periodic unrest due to sharp rises in food, student and labour strikes and confrontations with Islamic militants. The bread riots caused the death if 89 people.
In the town where Bouazizi was from it was rife with poorly paid teachers, suppression union workers and jobless graduate and this resonated with the rest of Tunisia.
High loans for farmers with small plots. Investments were centred around the areas with tourism while neglecting schools, highways, health care and lack of stimulation in new industries. In Sidi Bouzi 13,000 graduates were looking for jobs.
Tunisia: Corruption
Ben Ali had tendency towards corruption. For example, he would buy extensive lands at the fraction of the cost of their real value.
Middle classes fed up with mafia like family who dominated the country and in 2011 had business accounting for 1/4 or 1/3 of the entire GDP. Days before Bouzizi’s death the family had bought another business for $600 million – a reminder of extreme wealth disparities.
Tunisia: Features of the Uprising
Involved the unique combination of social media, labour unions and an alienated middle class where Aljazeera and Facebook were crucial platforms for spreading news.
The labour unions became main organisers and coordinator of protests which stands as most unique feature of the Tunisian uprising in comparison to Egypt.
Just two moth prior teachers had been on strike so there was anticipation in the air of further unrest. 7000 police troops sent in to suppress.
Ben Ali’s flight
How did his regime crumble so fast? Ultimately it was his relationship with the army who maintained a strict tradition of staying out of politics since the years of independence.
Ammar (army chief) was unwilling to support Ali during protests but in final days he agreed to deploy the army around Tunis but not to open fire.
Ammar rose as a national hero with highest figure of approval rate.
Law and order had broken out across the country and it was not being restored by the army.
Despite offering sweeping economic and political reforms he still fled.
Therefore, neutrality of the army was the major reason for his downfall.
Tunisia: Aftermath
Initial power struggle ensued between the secular leftist and moderates and then secularists and Islamists.
Then Islamic Ennahda Movement was a major political force and was banned in 1990’s from politics. After its introduction it was voted into power and became a coalition with the secularist.
- Terrorist attack on beach resort killing 38 people mainly British.
- People are mainly enraged about high unemployment with 260,000 people with high degrees. Lack of investment from foreign partners. Asides from the EU, Libya was their second best partner but after Libya’s chaos this relationship has not been restored.
Since 2014 there have been five PM’s of Tunisia - highlights the unstableness of political life.
There is tentative progress but the constant power struggle between the secularists and Ennahda movements slows down the progress of reformation.
Egypt: Intro
Egypt stands most centrally and has greatest population in the Arab world. There are many convergent reasons for uprising. Changes in the demography of the country with increasing urbanisation. Extensive youth unemployment’s changed their relationship with their government. The 2010 election campaign was rigged allowing Mubarak to continue ruling despite major anger.
Egypt: Features of the Uprising
Following the overthrow of Ben Ali, it had electrifying effect on Egypt’s already unsettled society. Took 19 days for Hosni Mubarak to flee after the military kicked him out. 18 million took part and Tahir square became epicentre for protest. Different tactics used in comparison with Tunisia with increased violence. The military played central role in Mubarak’s downfall – classic military coup. Strikes from labour movements but played no role in organising protests unlike in Tunisia.
Egypt: Aftermath
After the revolution, the Muslim Brotherhood, Muhammad Morsi won elections which emulated over the rest of the Arab world.
Some argue it was used as a way for the Muslim Brotherhood to gain power with secularists claiming they have stolen their revolution. But Muslim Brotherhood were best organised and funded.
Muhammed Morsi was ousted by the military just one year after being elected. This came after mass protests when Morsi has failed to address the worst economic crisis since Mubarak. He allowed the rise of the Islamists and failed to address the reasons for the protests in the first place - rights and social justice.
June 2013 - mass protests against Morsi and military warned him he had 48hrs to satisfy the need. In July, the army stopped the constitution and lead a coup. There were mass protests from his supporters and the military supressed this resulting in 1000 deaths - example of the divide between secularists and religious groups and political turmoil.
Abdel el-Sisi is current president of Egypt and has remained in power since 2014.
14 million people took to streets in protest against Morsi who had granted himself special powers so
Success of the Arab Spring
Initially there was huge optimism but now it is not the same for example Syria. Syria civil war has been raging since 2011 after riots.
There is a direct clash in the centre of the Gulf with the re-emergence of sectarian tension between Shia and Sunni’s. This can be directed at societies being under very severe stress which have exacerbated these tensions appearing out of nowhere.
Despite pressure on governments within every region, the King in Morocco sensed an uprising so issued new constitution.
Gulf counties likely to keep quiet after pay-outs are issued to its citizens.
Qatar’s ruler, Al-Thani stepped down and while he transferred power to his son it shows signs of willingness to change and realisation of limits.
In broader concept there is optimism where they are catching up with the rest of the world and waves of declaration have been carried out. Huge amount of impatience but it is going to take decades to make difference.
Islamic insurgency and extremists
Fragment secularist party.
