Politics Theory Other The crisis is permanent - MENA after the Arab Spring w/ Gilbert Achcar
Mar 6, 2024
Discussing the long-term revolutionary process in MENA post-Arab Spring, the challenges of counter-revolution and civil war, the root causes of political upheaval like youth unemployment, and the impact of the Gaza war. Examining state types and economic impact in the region, along with ongoing social struggles in Morocco and reasons for hope amidst turmoil.
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Cataloguing The Two Waves Of Uprisings
- Gilbert Achcar notes six major uprisings in 2011: Tunisia, Egypt, Libya, Yemen, Syria, and Bahrain.
- He adds four 2019 uprisings: Sudan, Algeria, Iraq, and Lebanon, totaling ten affected countries.
Widespread Uprisings, Short-Lived Hopes
- The Arab Spring was widespread: ten countries saw major uprisings across two waves (2011 and 2019).
- Multiple heads of state fell, fueling hope that was later undermined by counter-revolution and conflict.
Counter-Revolution And State Collapse
- Many MENA states have since regressed into authoritarian strongholds or failed states with civil wars and state collapse.
- The Gulf monarchies, especially Saudi Arabia and the UAE, champion counter-revolution across the region.