Arab Spring.- Why is it expanding this social protests wave through several Arab countries?

Why is it expanding this social protests wave through several Arab countries?. This is the title of an interesting article written by Haizam Amirah Fernández (Senior researcher for the Mediterranean and The Arab world at Elcano Royal Institute). The article analyses the recent riots in Tunisia and Egypt. Teir deep root in economical and social causes and the chance that this revolution spreads throughout the Arab world. We reproduce this work on Eastwind, with permission by the Elcano Royal Institute.

First Tunisian society went on street early 2011 claiming for the President and his regime to go away. Unable to impose his law and order after few weeks of riots, Zine el Abidin Ben Alí was forced to flee from the country on January 14th. Some few days later, the social protests reached Egypt. Millions of people call in the streets Mohamed Hosni Mubarak to leave the power. The leadership crisis extends among the Arab countries as a sign of the divorce between a fed up society and a State model that offers neither opportunities nor freedom to its citizens.

Why is it expanding this social protests wave through several Arab countries?

The economic difficulties were the spark that made the social protests explode in Tunisia , but the background is political. First Tunisian people, then the Egyptians showed later they rejected the way thir countries were govened. Despite their differences, the Arab societies have in common the deep discomfort their people feel due to the lack of thriving opportunities; the rise in the cost of life; rampant corruption and due to the daily humiliations by the agents of power.

The lack of good governance for decades has generated a profound detachment of Arab citizens from their rulers. The lack of social justice is generating frustration and anger among the very young population that look without hope towards the future.
What has the downfall of Ben Ali meant to the Arab societies?

Along wit Ben Ali they have fallen many myths. Tunisian society has achieved what seemed unthinkable some few weeks ago, and in the least expected way, as well. Authoritarian leaders thought that their population would remain passive, subdued or anaesthetized, but they have just discovered that people’s patience had a limit. They did not count with a bunch of elements which, in the case of Tunisia, have proved decisive: cyber-activism, international economic crisis, WikiLeaks revelations, the behavior of the army and the ” Buazizi factor ” (the young man who set himself on fire by despair).

What happened in Tunisia is considered by many Arab citizens as a chance that it may occur in their countries a transition to a participating system with the powers divided, able to ensure the good governance.

What characterizes all social mobilisations in Tunisia and Egypt?

Revolts lived in Tunisia and Egypt have showed several particular features. In the case of Tunisia, it was the first time that the population in a modern Arab State got rid of of his lifelong ruler with no mediation by one of the three “traditional” ingredients: a putsch, foreign interference or religious extremism.

The social rebellion began in small towns in the interior, but quickly spread all over the country. Neither politicians nor the intellectuals were at the origin of the multitudinous demonstrations, which got Tunisians from all status and age mixed together. Something similar has happened in the case of Egypt.

May the current leadership crisis get extended to other countries within the region?

In the list of candidates to be the next country with social protests are included all Arab countries, in which they come together the following three factors:1) absence of an actual division of powers, 2) an authoritarian system supported by corrupt patronage networks and 3) a basic foodstuff and energy shortages. It is not enough that some reforms had been made in recent years and economic growth. If the wealth is not distributed under social justice criteria, it is only a matter of time that social unrest becomes into popular mobilizations.

Arab States are in time to carry out deep reforms – not only cosmetic – for their population to enjoy more opportunities and achieve that national wealth is put to the service of economic and social development. That comes through changing government systems based on the patronage and the control by a Police State.

How are democratic governments reacting?

Ben Ali’s fall caught by surprise the Western countries (more the Europeans, with France at the head than the United States). The first reactions were not very sensible. While Washington allowed Ben Ali’s fall down, some European leaders openly continued supporting him. Other countries released routine offical notices or remained expectant and silent. As in the case of Egypt, Europe has showed irresolute and without a clear voice.

Western democracies have a golden opportunity to accompany Arab societies in the changing stage in which they have already started off. It is the time for Western powers, and particularly for the EU countries to reassess the actual cost of apparent stability that Arab regimes promised them in exchange for the support to their repressive policies.

The relationship between State and society in the Arab world has experienced a deep tranformation, so that maintaining the current governing schemes in these countries will become, sooner or later unsustainable.

Article by courtesy of The Royal Elcano Institute, translated by Eastwind Magazines

Image over the headline.- Unrest culminates all over Tunis with one clear message from protesters of all ages: President Ben Ali must leave, 14 Jan 2011. VOA Photo/L. Bryant (Public domain). To watch the original photo click here

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