Specific Causes of the Arab Spring - Research Paper Example

Specific Causes of the "Arab Spring" The ‘Arab Spring’ refers to the revolutionary wave of demonstrations and protests which have taken place in the Arab World, lately. This pro-democracy movement began in Tunisia with the suicide of a young man Muhammad Bouazizi. The aim of the protest was to force President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali to resign. Shortly after this, protests began in Egypt to force out President Hosni Mubarak. Later, the flame of revolution swept across other Arab nations that include, Libya, Bahrain, Algeria, Iraq, Oman, Lebanon, Western Sahara, Mauritania, Syria, Yemen, Sudan, Morocco, Jordan, Kuwait, and even Palestine. Arab countries as it popular media reported, are demanding democratic elections and ousting the dictators who have ruled them for years. The movement is also referred to as the ‘Arab Awakening’. This research paper analyses intricately woven but specific causes of this movement, with particular reference to socioeconomic causes and identifies that oppression by elite; tyranny of autocratic regimes; corruption on every scale; miserable poverty; persistently increasing unemployment, unjust capitalism, lacking faith on system and rule of law, constantly high inflation, lacking opportunities, and realization invoked by knowledge led to Arab nations to revolt and stand for their rights. The Overview of Major Causes of Arab Spring Major causes of Arab Spring as Fawaz Gerges explains are: constant ripping of corrupt political culture; social and economic systems and institutions occupied by authoritarian groups backed by West; social unrest triggered by poverty; unjust capitalism; miserable levels of inflation created by concentration of wealth; increasing level of expectations of educated and tech-savvy younger generation; and deferred process of delivering results to the civil society (Quoted in Austin, 2011). It is remarkable and reassuring that many Arab nations have already taken significant steps toward democracy. Why did this happen now? (Zurayk 2011). Dictatorships are inherently unstable and democracy is the way to go for people. The simple reason that aspire people for democracy is that it is a better system of governance that let people control their fate. The persistent dictatorships gathered much of disturbances in many Arab countries for a very long time; it is evident that they were waiting for the right time. The rise of the Internet allowed those in Arab nations to learn more about how the rest of the world operated -- both historically and in real time. Knowledge is indeed power. The realization of ones rights translated into the action of a Tunisian triggered the revolution which swept across neighboring countries like Egypt, Bahrain, and Syria. Better means of communication, such as, internet and cell phones connected people and accelerated the coordination among them. It is the true depiction of the fact that knowledge is power (Oey, 2011). In addition to Arab people, Al Jazeera successfully provided clear, and balanced analysis and view points throughout the revolt. It is rather a free press controlled by Arabs themselves in comparison to other media institutions controlled by governments. A free press is certainly necessary for democracy (Oey, 2011).The election of Obama demonstrated to the world that the system of democracy in the United States did not keep the US locked into an imperialist model -- the people can speak and elect someone from a minority who has a more balanced view of how the US can work with the world (rather than abuse its power). Bush disastrous strategies, particularly in Iraq destroyed US image in international community and most critically in Arab world. However, Obama has regained that faith on US government and democratic system in general which can be reflected in future steps these countries take (Oey, 2011). Authoritarian and Repressive Regimes According to O’Neill, among several triggers of Arab Spring, the key reason is the withdrawal of the Palestinian national question over the last decade. It is needless to emphasize the extent of Arab dictators’ reliance on unresolved Palestinian question for justifying their autocratic rule and regulating their own people’s aspirations. Dictators counterbalanced the aspiration of self-determination of their own people by using Palestinian issue. They rationalized Arab authoritarianism and brute coherence as critical for the confrontation over Palestine. The practice was cynical and it ended with the winding down of Palestinian nationalism. During Arab protests, lacking support for Palestinian cause indicated that they are fighting for themselves now (Totten et al. 2011, p.1). In addition, O’Neill explains that these authoritarian regimes are experiencing absolute corrosion. They are old withering regimes and have critical crisis of succession. For instance, among both Gaddafi and Mubarak’s sons, no one seems to be the obvious successor. Therefore, age of their regimes becomes problematic. Their use of cosmetic surgery reflects their political and physical exhaustion. Furthermore, quick downfall of authoritarian but fragile regime in Tunisia exposed their exhaustion, weakness, absence of legitimacy, bereft of Palestinian cause, and the fact that they can be easily pushed down(Totten et al. 2011, p.1).. Us Economic Fascism In addition to standing against resident dictators, Arab revolt is a strong rejection of worldwide economic tyranny which is crafted by the US Treasury and enforced by the US Agency for International Development, IMF and the World Bank. They ensured that affluent countries like Egypt are reduced to nothing but vast sweatshops, where approximately half of the population was earning less than $2 per day. The success of revolt in Cairo proved to be the first blow against what Mussolini referred as corporatism in his definition of fascism (Pilger, 2011).While talking about the reason of such extremism in West, Noam Chomsky explains that it was critical to abolish, solidarity, idealism, concerns for oppressed and victimized and replace such concerns with self-centered egoism and a sense of pervasive cynicism which establish the order of domination and discrimination. Its a huge international propaganda campaign that works to make people realize that this is the only thing they should feel (Quoted in Pilger, 2011).Resembling European revolution of 1848, and revolt against Stalinism in 1989, Arab revolt emerged because people rejected fear. An uprising of suppressed ideas, hopes, and solidarity has been triggered (Pilger, 2011). West and Technology- the real director Though the current wave of revolutionary protests is primarily centered in Arab world but, it echoes from Iran and Spain to United States. The revolution has dynamics similar to 1848 and 1986; however, the situation and the way they played it out were significantly different. The most important difference is that of social media. Technology played a significant role in providing bottom-up egalitarians with a better foothold for sustained organization and action (Rosenberg, 2011). The Egyptian “Facebook Generation” directed all others, including military with them. Situation is quite different for Euro-US economic zone because it mainly hinges on the way strict practices of neo-liberal economics meets with its neo-imperial roots. Egyptian Revolution and its Wisconsin replica resulted in the disaster of global neo-liberal order in the financial crisis of 2008, and reactions to protect the aggressors rather than victims, though to the varying degrees. The same applies to the provenience of the Arab Spring, Tunisia, and Spain, with their similar “Real Democracy Now!” movement which triggered similar mass demonstrations in European continent. There are several contributing causes of Arab Spring, however, the explosive Arab Spring can be considered as a more compact and elaborated version of Latin America’s a decade-long readjustment by distancing itself from neo-liberalism and US hegemony (Rosenberg, 2011). Democrats consider that the interplay between several historically important sociological factors and globalization manifested through, Facebooks, Wikileaks, Twitter, and Al Jazera is the most critical factor that led to the revolution (Austin, 2011). According to Cockburn (2011), there is a thriving little internet industry which claims that the overthrow of Mubarak was possible only with the assistance of "US Twitter-Facebook Command". The claim assumes that the Head of the Joint Chiefs of Twitter has ignored it in the tasteless, self-promoting version of Jared Cohen, with the support of National Endowment for Democracy and Freedom House. Cockburn (2011) doubts such claims and consider them ludicrous. He points out that New York Times published endless articles emphasizing the role of Facebook and Twitter, but it either ignores or negatively projects Julian Assange and Wikileaks. The fact is that, Wikileaks must be central in any discussion dealing with the role of internet fueling the uprising in Middle East. It is because Wikileaks informed Tunisians about the unsparing analysis of the kleptocratic regime that was crushing them, considering US Ambassador Gordon Gray cables that Wikileaks held. Wikileaks enabled Egyptians (Cockburn, 2011). Socioeconomic Factors The phenomenon called Arab Spring is emerged from a complex set of circumstances Arab people have experienced over a long time period. Therefore, many people in West struggle to grasp it. These events have long lasting influences on the economic destiny of both Middle East and North Africas people. When studying the complex causes of Arab Spring, Kinninmont (2011, p.31) highlighted peoples economic rather than political drive that led them to revolution. She argues that it becomes evident when we consider Sharpe rise in food prices in January 2011, this was the same time when unrest reached Egypt. Moreover, WBs composite food index reached at a 29 percent higher point as compared to its position in January 2010. Kinninmont (2011, p.31) identifies the increasing rate of unemployment amongst protestors as a major factor that led to revolt. Job creation efforts are in fierce competition with the regions rapidly increasing population. Moreover, there is a chronic gap between the job-market requirements and poor standard of education and unskilled labor. Kinninmont (2011,p.31) further explains that regardless of the striking time period of oil-boom during 2003-08, and considerable increase in public spending which was aimed at compensating the consequences of global recession in 2009-10, economic inequality has always been on higher levels. Continuously high rates of inflation destroyed the low-wage poor and unskilled worker. Similarly, what appears to be upheaval in southern Europe is a consequence of fiscal austerity measures. The major vigor of the Egyptian revolt came from different classed, for instance, middle class professional workers and trade union leaders. Their demand for economic and political rights is perfectly represented in their protest slogan, "Bread and dignity" in addition to "justice" which reflects their concerns for wealth distribution, human rights, corruption, and implementation of law. Access to health facilities and education opportunities has also been a major political issue (Kinninmont 2011, p.33). Historical patterns responsible for revolution in societies are one aspect to go one with. However, these countries are on early stages of economic and political ladder of development (Austin, 2011). Halliday (2010, p.56) highlights that when it comes to contemporary world, revolutions in response to oppression and pressures incurred on traditional societies manifest themselves by international factors; unrest in the changing society; and aspiration for speedy development. Austin (2011) explains that all these factors are present in the case of Tunisia, Libya, and Egypt. The same factors are present in several underdeveloped countries, such as, Iran, Syria, Yemen, and most parts of former Soviet Union. Therefore, Middle Eastern revolution presents the consequences of ignoring the inevitable expectations of the people, particularly, when some level of progress and development is achieved in an increasingly desegregated world. The most popularly discussed and reported factor that led to the strife and then revolt which spread to North Africa and Middle East, is the desire for freedom and justice. Since the "self-immolation" of Muhammad Bouaziz, the unrest developed into what we call "Arab Spring". Mainstream media has paid little attention to the more critical factors associated with economic concerns of Arab people, such as, poverty, unemployment, lack of socio-economic opportunities, and diminishing hopes. Most of the times, reports of political upheaval made the headlines rather than the root causes of such unrest. While focusing mainly on political aspects and considering that revolts aim at pushing autocratic regimes aside, becomes difficult to keep indivisible nature of politics and economics in mind (Jones, 2011). Jane Kinnimonet, Catham House Senior Research Fellow analyses if Arab Spring is caused by democratic rights, employment, housing and bread. Her thoughtful analysis in The World Today deals with the economic factors of the unrest in Arab World. She unfolds what she refers as the "false dichotomy between politics and economics and explains that the idea is nothing but misconceived (Quoted in Jones, 2011). Arab World economics is primarily determined by this regions political, institutional, and social arrangement and economic problems, such as; inflation, unemployment, and social inequality are linked with political context in an inextricable manner. For instance, inflation has remained persistently escalated in Egypt for many years, despite changing global trend in 2009.Accorsing to local economists, widespread monopolies in domestic consumer markets led to this situation. In case of food prices, the political unwillingness for agricultural reform served the same purpose. Furthermore, economic inequality is intensified by deep-rooted corruption and weak institutions (Kinninmont 2011, pp.31-32). No doubt, it is the suicide of Mohammad Bouazizi, a young man working as vegetable seller, led to the protests in Tunisia. The incident took place when police confiscated his vegetable cart because that was unlicensed. Numerous people throughout the country identified with Bouazizi, the reason behind was not only their similar experience of informal working stemming from unemployment, but also their eroding hopes and faith from the corrupt system. It was the system they expect to work against increasingly prevailing theft of land resources by powerful people rather than a poor vegetable seller (Kinninmont 2011, p.32). On the situation of employment, Kinninmont (2011, p.32) further explains that throughout the region, unemployment is at higher rates even in countries with abundant job opportunities, such as, the Gulf. These countries are relying on foreign workers due to their poor education system and a two-tire labor-market model. In this market model the private sector is established on low-wage foreign workers, on the other hand, the public sector is responsible for incorporating nationals. The situation prevails even in prosperous Gulf states with economic challenges are far less than Egypt or Yemen, better job or study incentives are divided in a biased manner. The culture to allocate such resources for personal connections, family, and political affiliates is prevailing. In the Gulf, the greatest turbulence has observed in the states which are less prosperous, such as, Bahrain and Oman battling against the challenge of sustaining their monetary distribution model. However, on the whole, Kinninmont (2011, p.32) explains that there is no simple association between average incomes or inequality and disturbance level. Throughout, the region, the rulers who served for longer period of time including prime minister in case of Bahrain with atrocious forces for security. Kinninmont (2011) exclaims about the reaction of Saudi reforms amongst mushrooming youth demographics and government delaying reaction to political and social reforms as a reaction to Arab Spring. She questions the expectation for domestics support for monarchies, in particular, when people understand that their economy is driven by only power holders. SUSRIS discussed the nature of Arab Spring, particularly in case of Saudi Arabia. Most of the analysts agreed that the case of Saudi Arabia is different when we consider the factors that contributed to the unrest in this region. However, Saudi Arabia is not an exception when we consider the economic root causes of social discontentment which led to the political revolt in North America (Jones, 2011). When it comes to the case of Saudi Arabia, most of analysts reject the ideas of revolt since King Abdullah is highly esteemed amongst common citizens. Moreover, stability is his regimes basic attribute. Few leaders and issues of royal successor are questionable. Though, Saudi government has allocated sufficient resources for education, rewarding job opportunities, and economic diversification, the situation remains doubtful for future workforce. Major concerns are employment challenge and shortage of housing facilities. Young Saudis are concerned about lack of expected jobs and disappointed with real estate market. Most regard their lacking job security with no financial stability, and escalating housing prices with lacking ability to marry and further their life (Jones, 2011). Dr. Sfakianakis assesses and stresses the need for urgent reforms by explaining that adequately addressing countrys labor force challenges is not optional, it is because Middle East enacted reforms for people asking for more freedom and enhanced quality of life(Quoted in Jones,2011). Saudi government has started dealing with it in a proactive manner. Social benefit package for creating job opportunities, offer housing, and lessen financial burden of the people, particularly in lower income bracket. In post-Arab-Spring time (June 2011) new quotas system aiming at Saudi participation in private sector is introduced. However, results may take time to become evident before reform assessment (Jones, 2011).Kinninmont (2011) argues that prevailing situation indicates that it is only political reforms which ailing Arab economies call for. Kinninmont (2011, p.33) further states: “The lack of a level playing field, or of an independent judiciary fairly implementing the rule of law, or of meritocracy, is political and economic issues at the same time affecting political freedoms, employment opportunities and the chances of success for entrepreneurs as well as political freedoms and representation. All this suggests that simply increasing public spending – the Saudi model for responding to the Arab spring – will not be adequate to offset demands for reform in the longer term.” Saudi leadership is openly assessing the situation after Arab Spring and its impact on their neighbor countries. Dr. Karasik explains that Saudi Arabia shifted from being passive to completely assertive in its foreign policy in just few years time period. Saudi influence is considered in an n entirely new way, however, attention is not always gratifying. International media has ignored Saudi presence in Bahrain and Iranian impact in the island. Saudi Arabia is titled as the leader of counter revolution in Arab; however, recent reaction to Syrias clamp-down has led some analysts to reassess their stance. Media has highlighted Saudi response of protest ban and new terror laws. However, attention to such aspects, and ignoring main concerns of Saudi citizen for economic stability is not justifiable (Jones, 2011). Dr. Sfakianakis analyses King Abdullahs social benefit package and explains that Arab government have strived to work for the concerns of their people, in particular, youth who are facing double-digit unemployment rate; higher rates of inflation in history; and housing cost reaching beyond the access of most of the middle class families. Some 300 people are hired to communicate with and identify peoples problems. He reveals that urgency to deal with the issue is evident. He concludes that the measures are satisfactory; however, government needs to keep track of the peoples aspirations for political reforms and development of social institutions (Quoted in Jones, 2011). Revolt throughout Middle East and North Africa is gaining international attention and support. Though, most of the people attribute Middle Eastern revolt with the battle against authoritarian regimes and struggle to gain a democratic rule, but the unrest has more to it in addition to ideology. The causes of Arab Spring are not "cut-and-dried". Several issues have contributed to revolt and aspiration for change; some of the reasons vary by country. Making a comparison between Egypt and Tunisia with Saudi Arabia is not a useful metric. The fact is that Saudi Arabia is experiences its own challenges and dealing them proactively (Jones, 2011). Kinninmonet (2011, p.33) concludes that it is an illusion that political and economic reforms can be dealt separately in Arab. Its highly critical to deal economic and political factors in harmony for just and comprehensive Arab economies. Conclusion There are some lessons we can learn from the Arab Spring phenomenon; nation building by force (like Iraq) is extremely oppressive and wasteful. Giving nations with sufficient setting and let them cover the course of change for better future is the only right and sustainable way (The Wall Street Journal, 2011).The paper analyses Arab Spring and its intricately woven causes which seems inseparable. It seems strange that how an Arabs suicide led nearly all Arab nations to revolt which swept even in Europe and North America. However, it is not started from a suicide, but the suicide became the call of action for everyone oppressed and victimized. The research identified oppression by elite; tyranny of autocratic regimes; corruption on every scale; miserable poverty; persistently increasing unemployment, unjust capitalism, lacking faith on system and rule of law, constantly high inflation, lacking opportunities, and realization invoked by knowledge led to Arab nations to revolt and stand for their rights. They demand democracy, dignity, and justice. The unrest which media attributed with the need of jobs, bread, and housing has more to it. It is the awakening of a whole nation. Halliday(2010) entitles revolutions as "moments of transition" which does not repeat it when passed once. Rather, revolution set grounds for political and social transition through reforms which other form of struggles or democracy may take decades or even centuries to take place. The idea is obvious when we consider the programs of American or French revolution, the radical egalitarianism and international efforts linked with each other. This is not important that American or French always stood for their ideas more than Russia after 1917; rather it is about ideas and desires which stem from such revolutions and their retention in future era. Reference List Austin,Allan.2011.The great "Arab Spring" of 2011:Causes and Consequences. allanaustin. Available from http://allanaustin.com/blog/?p=291 (accessed September 12, 2011). Abouzeid, R., 2011. The man who set himself and Tunisia on fire. http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,2044723,00.html(accessed September 12, 2011) Cockburn,2011.http://www.counterpunch.org/2011/02/18/the-tweet-and-revolution/ accessed September 12, 2011. Halliday, Fred. 2010. Britain’s First Muslim: Portrait of an Arab Community. Michigan: I.B. Tauris. Jones,Olivia. "What does the economic underpinning of the "Arab Spring" mean for Saudi Arabia." Susri Blog. Available from http://www.susrisblog.com/2011/08/24/what-does-the-economic-underpinning-of-the-%E2%80%9Carab-spring%E2%80%9D-mean-for-saudi-arabia/ (accessed September 12, 2011) Kinninmonts, Jane."Middle East: Bread and Dignity."The World Today 67(2011) http://www.chathamhouse.org/about-us/directory/70767 (accessed September 12, 2011). Oey, Tim.2011.Roor Causes of the Arab Spring.timoey.blogspot. Available from http://timoey.blogspot.com/2011/05/root-causes-of-arab-spring.html(Accessed September 12, 2011). Pilger, John. 2011.Behind the Arab Revolt is a Word We Dare not Speak. Available from http://www.johnpilger.com/articles/behind-the-arab-revolt-is-a-word-we-dare-not-speak.(Accessed 11 September 2011). Rosenberg, Paul.2011.Bottom-uprevolution.Available from http://english.aljazeera.net/indepth/opinion/2011/06/2011616114013236175.html. 10 September 2011. Totten, J.Michael.2011.The War in Libya and the “Arab Spring”:A Reason Roundtable.[Online].Available from http://reason.com/archives/2011/04/07/the-war-in-libya-and-the-arab 10 September 2011. Trofimov, Yaroslav et al., 2011. Arab Spring gives way to an uncertain autumn. Wall Street Journal http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424053111903461304576524701611118090.html (accessed September 12, 2011). Zurayk, Rami. 2011. Food, Farming and Freedom: Sowing the Arab Spring. Beriut: Just World Publishig,LLC. Read More