While this class is focused on social movements in the Middle East, it has helped me examine the massive impact social movements here in the US have had on our democratic system. If it weren't for several major social movements, only white, land-owning males would be voting next Tuesday, and certainly not for an African-American candidate.
Both the women's suffrage and civil rights movements had a major similarity with the Arab Spring that immediately pops out to me, is that they were movements to give specific groups of people rights that a relative minority already possessed. In the US movements, women wanted the right to vote, and African-Americans wanted desegregation of public places and the abolishment of restrictions on their voting. In the MENA region, the masses wanted (want?) a less repressive government, and more civil liberties.
The movements in the US succeeded because these minorities fighting for equality garnered the support of those either that had power, or could influence those who did. The movements in the MENA region are even more revolutionary, but still have this characteristic. For example, in Egypt, the police and army eventually took the side of the protesters, forcing the ousting of Mubarak even though they themselves did not have direct power.
Overall, I feel that it is difficult to say whether or not the movements will guarantee a democratic system. While many of these regime changes resulted in new elections, there's no telling if people will attempt to not vote in those who would just bring back these governments to totalitarianism.
Both the women's suffrage and civil rights movements had a major similarity with the Arab Spring that immediately pops out to me, is that they were movements to give specific groups of people rights that a relative minority already possessed. In the US movements, women wanted the right to vote, and African-Americans wanted desegregation of public places and the abolishment of restrictions on their voting. In the MENA region, the masses wanted (want?) a less repressive government, and more civil liberties.
The movements in the US succeeded because these minorities fighting for equality garnered the support of those either that had power, or could influence those who did. The movements in the MENA region are even more revolutionary, but still have this characteristic. For example, in Egypt, the police and army eventually took the side of the protesters, forcing the ousting of Mubarak even though they themselves did not have direct power.
Overall, I feel that it is difficult to say whether or not the movements will guarantee a democratic system. While many of these regime changes resulted in new elections, there's no telling if people will attempt to not vote in those who would just bring back these governments to totalitarianism.
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