Omar's Blog

Economic restructure 

The Arab Spring led to the restructure of the economy within the countries that were also struggling to obtain political stability. As a result, the countries experienced high unemployment rates and inequality, issues that highly impacted the way of living among the people.

The Arab countries experienced economic liberalization, which was an issue that resulted to the expansion of the private sector. The rate of corruption had increased and welfare responsibilities were being transferred to the military allies and private schemes that benefited only a group of people. The states power to make decisions had been negatively influenced and it took some time for decisions that benefited the public to be made by the people in leadership. Thus, there was no way the states would develop and grow to deal with some of the economic challenges that affected the people and the state.

Taking the example of Tunisia and Egypt, it was difficult for the states to implement industrial trade policies that would benefit the people because there were some people who dominated the industries that were meant to improve the states’ economy. For instance, the tourism and real estate industries were dominated by the corrupt systems that led to the states becoming impoverished. In addition, there was no global competition and these industries were uncertain in improving the economic conditions of the state.

Economic change during the Arab Spring

The economic factors in Arab countries have become great determinants for the states’ democratization. However, democracy can be obtained when both the political and economic demands are taken into consideration in order to deal with issues such as inequality. When these two factors are considered and addressed effectively, there are chances that the states would be opened to the globalized world, which would work towards transforming the countries and establishing economic stability as well.

The author of the article defines democratization as the process of changing the government from an authoritarian rule to that which can represent the people and offer opportunities for growth and development. Economic policies have been identified to have generate better conditions within the states, which would enhance transition to a representative government structure. This is a step forward towards making sure that the transition process takes place without conflict and enhances sustainability for the people.

Modernization is also an important aspect identified with the democratization of the sites, and this is an issue that has created significance in transformation of societies, increases globalization, as well as the rise of per capita income. This means that with changing economic policies, the countries affected by the Arab Spring would benefit towards acquiring a stable representative government for the people.

Reflection

The Arab Spring effect on the Arab states created economic impacts that resulted to loss of jobs among the people, and this also created a gap between them as inequality development. The countries experienced challenges in developing industries and the few that had been developed were being managed by some people in power who privatized them. Only a few people would benefit from these industries, and it was uncertain whether these industries would change the economy of the states. In addition, the economic and political demands are issues that enhanced change in the states’ governance, and these are important in ensuring that change is implemented for a better economy and political stability.

Inequality and governance

The responses to globalization are determined by the effects of centralization on the countries economic, political, cultural,  and democratic factors that changed during the Arab uprising. First, it is important to note that the revolutions were patriotic from the domestic context and had not taken authority in foreign power. However, the western countries have an influence on the Middle East countries, and the influence has created opportunities towards embracing globalization.

As a result of globalization, issues such as equality and governance are being depicted within the countries, and this creates significance towards developing positive influences that integrate the countries to the global systems.  Although the Arab Spring may have created inequality, there is a desire for the countries to experience globalization. However, fears that the global system might create threats to the Islamic nations is still influencing the nations from integrating with the Western countries.

The United States is said to have secured foreign policies in some of the Arab countries, and these may have positively influenced the manner of integration as social developments have been enhanced. This brings out the issue of culture being the driving force on the manner in which globalization is being experienced within countries. This is because culture has influenced the use of technology and communication between regions, and this are identified as issues that enhanced spread of information during the revolution. In addition, the Islamic nations are afraid of having western countries influencing them with ideas that would affect them in one way or another.

Role of culture in globalization

The resistance that the Arab countries showed during the revolution is a sign that globalization played a big role during the time. The events that took place in an Arab country for instance Tunisia are the same events that took place in the other countries such as Egypt. This was as a result of the information exchange that took place between the countries. Culture also plays a role in globalization because the countries engaged in similar events because they are all tied to similar cultural values.

Giving reference to Libya, the country received concerns from the West, but the fact that Gaddafi was against the West influences, Libya’s spring became dramatic. Some of the concerns that the West enhanced during the crisis in Libya was the spread of information through communication channels such as television and social media. These channels made the fighters to become united and they also gained the strength to continue fighting for what they believed in. In addition, information was spread through the Al-Jazeera channel, which aired events despite having pleas from countries not to spread such information to the public.

The crisis in Libya would have affected the global market because the country borders the Mediterranean and the crisis would affect the energy markets that the border offers to Europe. This is one of the reasons why the West was ready to intervene during the Libya crisis.

Reflection

Globalization has had influence during the Arab revolution, and this is significant because of the changes that took place due to globalization pressures between Arab countries. Information of events in a country led to engagement of similar events in different Arab countries, and this is because the people influenced each other to achieve their goals, having been tied to similar cultural backgrounds.

Democratization

Democratization is the process through which  a state or  a nation has its political regime changing form one which was authoritarian or a one party state into one which is more democratic. Most states in the Arab world were either non-democratic states because they were monarchs or had one party authoritarian rule, which they had gotten used to, and they did not even question. I am a string believer in people being at liberty of fighting for their rights rather than being oppressed and as such, when the revolution in these countries like Tunisia and Egypt came into play, they had been finally enlightened. This is because the information on the internet was well serving for the revolution that they began and which led to their democratization and liberation from oppression. by selfish leaders. Despite there having been waves of democratization in the Arab world in the 1980’s, it did not help the situation and for many years, no one tried to liberate himself or herself. The remained under oppressive rule and it was only after the globalization in this case technology enlightened them that they got the power to emancipate their country by ensuring they get great leaders and become independent. Democratization is an important aspect in today’s global standing because authoritarian rule was eliminated and as such, if there are countries that are still in oppression they should be liberated.

Democratization, Tunisia, and Egypt

Way before the beginning of the revolutions, the Arab world was consisted of the one party authoritarian rule and others like morocco were ruled by monarchs and this meant for them that they were not at liberty to choose their leaders and as such even how their country was ruled. With such leaders, the resources of the countries are concentrated for only the few people who have the power. This is a level ground for inequality but because of the influence the leaders have, the citizens ended up being under their thumb rule. However, when the citizens of say Tunisia were exposed to the internet and this enlightened them and gave them a different vantage point to view the situation that were in with their leaders. The leader of Tunisian Ben Ali was one who almost continued to stay because he portrayed a different picture to the outside world how he treated his citizens while in truth they were suffering. Behind the scenes, indeed the citizens were being denied their very basic rights. He ruled in such a way that he was only amassing the wealth with his family who consisted of the elite of Tunisia and this angered the Tunisians to the extent that they would refer to the rule of Ben Ali as the family. Tunisia was successful in their democratization journey and Egypt eventually learnt form the success story of the Tunisians.

Reflection

Globalization, the revolutions of different countries and democratization are closely related because were it not for the globalization in terms of the internet, it would have been difficult for such massive information to be shared online and on news sites on the online platform that made their efforts successful. Most states in the Arab world either were non democratic states because they were monarchs or had one party authoritarian rule which they had gotten used to and they did not even question.

The five perspectives of globalization

Studying topics on globalization for me is very interesting because I get to know that the revolutions were because of globalization processes. However, globalization does not occur uniformly and as such, globalization is a matter of determining who is getting what where and when and I have realized form the in-depth reading that indeed globalization is a controversial topic from many seeing even the lack of a specific definition of the universal term. Political realism is an important aspect of globalization seeing as the politics of particular states affect the stability of major players on globalization such as the United States and as such when for instance aspects such as migration are seen to cause, a problem to these nations they are discouraged they will definitely inhibit growth. Market liberalisms seems to be the most important perspective which fosters globalization and this is because with market liberalizations the free markets allow for economies to grow and as such development spreads across the regions ensuing that goods can be imported and exported ensuring that resources and finances are distributed all across the world. Globalization should indeed in my point of view be made equal because there is fear that of the superior states are the ones, which gave access to the most power, and the fair share of the resources even in terms of controlling the other minorities, there will be inequality, which will lead to even political suppression.

Technology In Globalization 

With globalization, came technology and this technology has done many good but vices have also increased because of this technology. The internet is one of the greatest gifts of globalization but in fact, it contributed greatly to the escalation of the revolution in the Arab countries and also in Tunisia. Instead of giving globalization as the general reason of the happenings, the agent of globalization, which is technology, and in specific the internet is to blame for these woes. Through the blogs and other social sites on the internet, information was spread which escalated the issues. The technology was a great agent of change, which enabled the citizens who ahd been oppressed to see a possibility of the change that they could effect if they took the leap of faith. Essentially, since globalization began, technology was the major booster of the globalization and the distribution of resources across the world. Before the revolution of Tunisia, people ahd began utilizing the internet for trade of goods and services ad news and other information was being spread over the internet. It is for this reason that information was easy to pass over the internet because people all over the world has to know of that particular information and try to help in the revolution process.

Reflection

The revolution was accelerated by globalization in the form of technology and as such, this was a major contributor. Globalization is influenced by market liberalization, political realism and other perspectives which if not present globalization would not be successful. Perspectives like political realism can be very disadvantageous to the process of globalization because the powerful states and nations could easily prohibit development in the developing countries. However, in the case of the revolution of the Arab world, globalization was a positive player with the use of the internet and the numerous social sites.

Libya Revolution  

• On February 2011, 213 representatives representing a group of political factions, political groups and human rights organizations demanding the resignation of Libyan leader Moamer Kadhafi, stressing the right of the Libyan people to express their opinion of peaceful demonstrations without any harassment or threats by the regime.
• The revolution developed into an armed conflict between the forces of Qadhafi and the rebels who took control of the city of Benghazi and the cities and areas of Tania in Libya
• On March 18, 2011, the United Nations Security Council issued a resolution imposing an air embargo on Libepa to protect civilians. A day later, on March 19, 2011, France, America and Britain launched raids on Gaddafi’s military positions to stop attacks on Libyan cities controlled by the rebels.
• By 20 October, The rebels took control of the last stronghold of Gaddafi and killed in Sirte.

Post Revolution  

• In the same month of the Libyan revolution, in February 2011, the National Transitional Council (NTC), the country’s executive and legislative ruler, was formed and continued until August 2012.
• The former Minister of Justice in the Gaddafi regime, Mustapha Abdul Jalil, assumed the presidency of the National Assembly on March 5, 2011, while the former secretary of the National Planning Council under Gaddafi, Mahmoud Jibril, was elected as the head of the executive office.
• A new government has been formed in Libya but the fighting for power are still going on in Libya and the security situation is unstable.

Reflection

The revolution has sparked after many years of persecution of the Libyan people . people of Lydia wanted express their opinion freely. The president Muammar Gaddafi wanted to hold the presidency at any costs. therefore, he attack his own people and he get defeated by the rebels. The current situation in Libya is confused and unstable because of the different in political parties

Yemen Revolution 

• In mid January 2011 Thousands of Yemenis have been demonstrating in the capital Sanaa to protest against the new government policies.
• This new policies amend the Yemeni constitution, it’s allow the son of Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh to take power after his father.
• On January 27, some 16,000 Yemenis left Sanaa to reject the proposals.
• The Yemeni president Ali Abdullah Saleh has announced his intention not to run for president
• Juma al-Karama was named after more than 50 demonstrators were shot dead by Yemeni security snipers on March 18, 2011
• In April 2011 demonstrations continued to demand the departure of Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh, who announced his intention to vote for his survival, amid ongoing conflicts between young demonstrators and security forces in the squares of change in several Yemeni cities, killing dozens and injuring hundreds. This month saw the emergence of the Gulf initiative as a possible political solution.
• On November 23, 2011, the Gulf initiative was taken to resolve the political crisis, which disrupted the constitution and considered the initiative a constitutional reference to the administration of the country, and granted President Saleh immunity from prosecution. Vice President Saleh Abd Rabbo Mansour Hadi assumed the presidency under the Gulf initiative on February 21, 2012.

https://drive.google.com/open?id=1Al5c7trx2JKmyINacLrNnbDntlo&usp=sharing

Post Revolution 

• After the abdication of Abdullah Saleh from the presidency, Vice President Abdo Rabbo Mansour Hadi took over the presidency under the Gulf initiative on February 21, 2012.
• After the new presidency, the Yemeni people were divided into opposition and opposition, which weakened the new government and the security situation became unstable.
• There are international initiatives to support the new government in Yemen to return Yemen to its former security

https://drive.google.com/open?id=1-Sf5GZXvpeOEJFncfBoUobzhgVo&usp=sharing

Reflection

After the revolution in Tunisia And Egypt and the new policies that the president Ali abdullah Saleh has made on the  Yemen constitutions,Thousands of young Yemenis protested agents former president  Ali abdullah Saleh. Ali abdullah Saleh tried to contain the problem by promising that his son will not take his place after him but he fail to calm the people so he used violence against his people. The Gulf initiative came after violence increased  in Yemen. Therefore, The Yemeni president has been forced to give up the presidency after mounting pressure.

Egyptian Revolution 

• The success of the Tunisian revolution contributed to the transition of revolutionary enthusiasm to Egypt. The beginning of the revolution began on the first day of 2011, when the organization began to protest and demonstrations against the government because of many problems in society and the most important dignity of the Egyptian citizen in his country.
• On the 25th of January,  there was a demonstration  against the  worsening of the political, economy, and social conditions in Egypt, The protest was launched through social networking sites such as  Facebook and Twitter, and the preregisters gathered on Cairo (Tahrir Square), Alexandria, Suez and Mahalla al-Kubra.
• The demonstrations mainly led to the overthrow of the regime of President Hosni Mubarak, who took power 30 years ago, On February 11, Vice President Omar Suleiman announced that Mubarak would step down as president and that the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces would take charge of the country’s affairs.

Post Revolution 

• Vice President Omar Suleiman announced in a brief statement that the president abdicated and that he entrusted the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces led by Mohamed Hussein Tantawi to run the affairs of the country.
• The first elected civilian president of the country was Mohammed Morsi, has assumed the post of President of the Republic on June 24, 2012, and was isolated by the armed forces on July 3, 2013 after demonstrations against him and other supporters.
• Abdel Fattah Said Hussein Khalil Sisi, the sixth and current president of the Arab Republic of Egypt and the Supreme Commander of the Egyptian armed forces, was elected for four years after his success in the presidential elections 2014

Reflection

Egypt was the second country of Arab spring that faced revolutions. First of all, in the beginning of 2011, There were revolutionary movement against former president Hosni Mubarek, who was on the power for 30 years, started from social networking such as Facebook and Twitter. After that, the people of Egypt started going out on the streets protesting against the governmental system back then. on Feb of 2011, Mubarak step down the throne and the Supreme Court of Council armed forces took a charge of the country’s affairs till the new president Mohammed Morsi got elected in June of 2012. after that,  Egyptian people had another protest against the new president and he got removed by the army forces in July of 2013. after that, Abdulftah Al Sisi got elected as the 6th president in July of 2014 of the Arab Republic of Egypt for four years.

Tunisian Revolution

•  The Tunisian Revolution of 2011, called the Jasmine Revolution, it is a series of unrest that begins on the 17^th of December 2010
• Mohamed Bouazizi, set fire to his body to express his anger
• Protests protested the spread of unemployment, high food prices, corruption, and poor living conditions.
• President of the Republic Zine El Abidine Ben Ali being removed from power.

Post Tunisian Revolution 

• The President fled to Saudi Arabia. On the same day, Prime Minister Mohamed Ghannouchi announced his temporary assumption of the presidency
• Events in Tunisia followed Ben Ali’s escape, and elections were held on 23 October 2011
• An escalation of violence as a result of operations carried out by “jihadist” armed groups.
• Four organizations, most notably the trade union center, held a “national dialogue” between the Renaissance Movement and the opposition in October 2013 and ended with the movement accepting the resignation of a technocratic government.

Reflection

The Jasmine Revolution 20011 represented an event other than the political map in Tunisia, North Africa and the entire Middle East. Other revolutions in Egypt, Libya, Yemen and Syria, resulting in hidden areas of political conflict in Tunisia. Oppression  in Arab countries and lack of freedom is the main sparks of the Arab Spring.  Killing has clearly increase since the revolution started, security situation in these Arab countries are not settled. There are democratization movements Political reforms but it can’t be working perfectly smooth cause good results after revolutions take more times to happen.

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