The Study of Democratization and the Arab Spring

Bibliographic Data

ID6160804
AuthorsAmel Ahmed (0000-0002-2064-3033, University of Massachusetts Amherst), Giovanni Capoccia (0000-0002-7508-0290, University of Oxford)
Year2014
Volume6
Issue1
Pages1-31
Publication date2014-04-10
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessNo
TypeARTICLE
VenueMiddle East Law and Governance (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1876-3367 • E-ISSN: 1876-3375
PublisherBrill (PUBLISHER • NL)
DOI10.1163/18763375-00601002
OpenAlexW2070797942
LanguageEN
Citations received9
References cited38

This paper proposes and illustrates a framework for analysis of the recent events in Middle Eastern and North African countries (the so-called Arab Spring) by bringing into dialogue recent theoretical advances in democratization theory with the comparative-historical literature on the political development of the MENA region. We advocate two analytical shifts from conventional approaches in the analysis of the Arab Spring: first, reconsider the temporalities of democratization processes; second, focus on struggles over specific institutional arenas rather than over the regime as a whole. The former recommendation draws attention both to the strategies used by key actors in the political, economic, and civil society spheres, and to the historical legacies that built the influence and resources of these actors over time. The latter allows us to consider the institutional safeguards for old elites that are likely to be included in the post-authoritarian regimes emerging in the region. Even though some of these safeguards are clearly anti-democratic, historical examples show that they do not necessarily preclude democratization. Indeed, in some cases, their introduction might be necessary to achieve democratic openings in other arenas. We illustrate these theoretical points with reference to the case of Egypt

Authoritarianism · Civil society · Democracy · Democratization · Development economics · Economics · Middle East · Political economy · Political science · Politics · Sociology · Spring (device · Temporalities · Engineering · International Development and Aid · Law · Political Conflict and Governance · Politics and Conflicts in Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Middle East

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