Trajectories of Arab Revolution: Miracle or Mirage
Year: 2025
Type: article
Abstract: The Arab Revolution, hailed as a beacon of hope, initially promised widespread political and social transformation. However, its trajectory has proven complex, oscillating between miraculous achievements and disillusionment. While some nations embraced reform, others fell into chaos and authoritarianism. This research paper explores what part new media plays in North Africa and the Middle East (MENA) region's "Arab Spring". The “Arab Spring” began in late 2010 and early 2011. Politics were violent in most populist movements. All were against authoritarian power at the start, but the results varied in each country. Egypt, as well as Tunisia’s democratic politics, differed after authoritarian control ended. Armed uprisings began in Libya and Syria. This paper discusses how the “Arab Spring” divergent paths and outcomes were affected by the legacy of the previous regime, organisational and legally binding decisions made during the “transition” from a totalitarian government, socioeconomic factors, and ethnic, sectarian, and geographic diversity. Egypt and Syria resemble Libya and Tunisia. Urban subalterns contain Arab revolutions. The mobilisation, indignation, as well as ground-breaking acts of urban popular quarter residents and tensions between popular forces and state authorities, especially the police, are also discussed. The study reveals that while some countries experienced short-term reform, many reverted to authoritarian rule, highlighting the fragility of revolutionary gains.
Author: Jishnu Prasad -
Language: English
Subfield: Sociology and Political Science
Field: Social Sciences
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: hybrid
OpenAlex ID: W4408228093