Political and Economic Factors of the Arab Spring: An Analysis of Arab Barometer III (2017.03)

• Author : Yang-Ho Rhee
• Journal : Journal of Middle Eastern Affairs
• Publisher : Institute of Middle Eastern Affairs
• Volume : 16(1)
• Publication Date : March, 2017
• Abstract : The Arab Spring is one of the significant turning points in history, for it was the first democratic movement in the Arab world. Its beginning was filled with hope and delight, but eventually was overwhelmed by misery and despair just like the French Revolution. The theoretical debate views the cause of the Arab Spring with three different approaches. Some scholars believe it was political, economic, and cultural factors that led to the widespread discontent among people. Other scholars assert that the Arab Spring was triggered by the break-up of social contract which originally legitimized the authoritarian rule in exchange for the welfare favors given by authoritarian regime. The other scholars claim that a decrease in life satisfaction level due to economic stagnation was the main cause. This article aims to analyze the political and economic aspects, especially the different viewpoints between participants and non-participants of the Arab Spring.

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