Civil society, youth and the Arab spring

Abstract

Over the past few decades most regions around the world have undergone significant transitions and democratisation efforts with varying degrees of success. The Arab World had remained the ‘exception’ for the analogy. Analysts and politicians, and even Arab rulers themselves, continually highlighted a ‘zero-sum’ equation which illustrates the regional scenario: either stability under what Jack Goldstone refers to as “sultanistic” dictatorships, or dominant political Islam constituting the only alternative. Accumulated political suppression and a weakening economic reality led to what is nowadays referred to as the Arab Spring, Rise and/or Awakening. Traditional protagonists are no longer the only main actors in the regional political arena; rather a paradigm shift is unfolding, whereby young Arabs –the majority of the population—are increasingly realizing an empowered and influential role in all the various aspects of public life. The balance of power between the ‘one-man/one party’ autocratic regimes on the one hand, and the people on the other; is shifting. Therefore, in light of these grave changes many ponder on what new prospects lie ahead today for transforming states, traditional civil society organisations and the ‘awakened’ strategic player: the people?