Civil Society and the Arab Spring: Comparative Analysis of Thirteen Cases

• In Event: 479 - Section on Global and Transnational Sociology Roundtable Session (one-hour).
  In Refereed Roundtable: Section on Global and Transnational Sociology Roundtables (one-hour). Table 01. Protest and Social Movements

Abstract

Scholars suggest that a robust civil society can help push democratic transitions to their completion. In addition to the radical economic and ideological shifts in the Arab world, some attribute the uprisings known as Arab spring to increasing technological connectivity and the growth of civil society.

We explore if the strength of civic culture impacted the path of protest in thirteen Arab countries. We argue that countries that had stronger civil society were more likely to achieve widespread protest activities whereas countries that had weak civil society were less likely to organize a viable protest movement, and more likely to involve violent activities. We categorize these countries according to protesters’ demands and the paths that their movements followed in attracting public support. We group the cases into four categories: widespread and mostly peaceful protests demanding regime change (Egypt, Lebanon, Tunisia); widespread and mostly peaceful demanding reforms (Jordan, Kuwait, Morocco); protests with limited public support demanding regime change (Libya, Syria, Yemen) and protests with limited public support demanding reforms (Algeria, Bahrain, Oman, Saudi Arabia).

In assessing the conditions prior to the uprisings, we measure four aspects: We assess socioeconomic conditions then we examine six aspects that describe the political climate in these countries prior to the uprising. Third, we review the technological trends while paying special attention to new social media outlets. Finally, we measure the impact of civic culture by assessing the impact of traditional media outlets and the sustainability of civil society organizations since the early 1990s.

Authors

• Rita Stephan, U.S. Department of State

• Stephen Michael Cherry, University of Houston Clear Lake

• Erik Love, Dickinson College