Arab Spring
In the early years of the 21st century, progress toward democratization continued. It centered on North Africa and the Middle East, where strong rulers kept their people oppressed. Activists in these countries had long sought democratic reforms, but authoritarian government persisted. Then, in 2011, a remarkable series of popular revolts swept this largely Arab Muslim region. Together, they became known as the Arab Spring.
The first uprising occurred in the North African country of Tunisia. Starting in December 2010, Tunisians, many of them young and unemployed, took to the streets to protest the lack of jobs, high food prices, poverty, and government corruption. In mid-January 2011, the growing demonstrations caused Tunisia’s president to flee the country.
Tunisia’s outburst of democratic action triggered other revolts. By the end of January 2011, pro-democracy demonstrations broke out in several Egyptian cities. In April 2011, massive, largely peaceful protests in the capital city of Cairo led to a dismantling of the government and the arrest of Egypt’s president, Hosni Mubarak. In Egypt, as in Tunisia, social media played a key role. Activists used Facebook and Twitter posts to help organize and spread information about the uprising.
Demonstrations also took place in Algeria, Yemen, Lebanon, Iran, Bahrain, Syria, and elsewhere. The level of violence varied. In Libya, anti-government actions took the form of an armed rebellion. With the help of NATO air strikes, the rebel army managed to gain control of the country in August and oust the Libyan dictator, Muammar al-Gaddafi. He was killed shortly after his capture by the opposition.
Antigovernment unrest in Syria began in early 2011. Syria’s dictatorship government, led by Bashar al-Assad, responded with military force. The government sent out troops and tanks in a sustained effort to suppress the rebellion. The United States, France, Germany, and the United Kingdom called on Assad to step down, but the crackdown continued into 2012. By early 2012, more than 7,000 Syrians had died.
The future of democratizing countries is uncertain. Throwing off authoritarian rule is not easy. Neither is replacing it with a democratic government. Countries in transition to democracy, however, do not need to go it alone. Just as NATO supported Libyan freedom fighters, other global organizations stand ready to help in the transition to democratic rule. The United Nations made clear its intention to promote justice, human rights, and political security in the region. The World Bank and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) promised aid as a way of encouraging economic security and stability.
In the early years of the 21st century, progress toward democratization continued. It centered on North Africa and the Middle East, where strong rulers kept their people oppressed. Activists in these countries had long sought democratic reforms, but authoritarian government persisted. Then, in 2011, a remarkable series of popular revolts swept this largely Arab Muslim region. Together, they became known as the Arab Spring.
The first uprising occurred in the North African country of Tunisia. Starting in December 2010, Tunisians, many of them young and unemployed, took to the streets to protest the lack of jobs, high food prices, poverty, and government corruption. In mid-January 2011, the growing demonstrations caused Tunisia’s president to flee the country.
Tunisia’s outburst of democratic action triggered other revolts. By the end of January 2011, pro-democracy demonstrations broke out in several Egyptian cities. In April 2011, massive, largely peaceful protests in the capital city of Cairo led to a dismantling of the government and the arrest of Egypt’s president, Hosni Mubarak. In Egypt, as in Tunisia, social media played a key role. Activists used Facebook and Twitter posts to help organize and spread information about the uprising.
Demonstrations also took place in Algeria, Yemen, Lebanon, Iran, Bahrain, Syria, and elsewhere. The level of violence varied. In Libya, anti-government actions took the form of an armed rebellion. With the help of NATO air strikes, the rebel army managed to gain control of the country in August and oust the Libyan dictator, Muammar al-Gaddafi. He was killed shortly after his capture by the opposition.
Antigovernment unrest in Syria began in early 2011. Syria’s dictatorship government, led by Bashar al-Assad, responded with military force. The government sent out troops and tanks in a sustained effort to suppress the rebellion. The United States, France, Germany, and the United Kingdom called on Assad to step down, but the crackdown continued into 2012. By early 2012, more than 7,000 Syrians had died.
The future of democratizing countries is uncertain. Throwing off authoritarian rule is not easy. Neither is replacing it with a democratic government. Countries in transition to democracy, however, do not need to go it alone. Just as NATO supported Libyan freedom fighters, other global organizations stand ready to help in the transition to democratic rule. The United Nations made clear its intention to promote justice, human rights, and political security in the region. The World Bank and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) promised aid as a way of encouraging economic security and stability.