THE FUTURE OF THE ARAB SPRING pdf download

The Future of The Arab Spring

THE FUTURE OF THE ARAB SPRING

The term “Arab Spring” is one among many phrases commonly used to describe recent events in the Arab world. Like many of these shorthand descriptions, its use is not without controversy.

It is employed here, nevertheless, for simplicity’s sake. defined as any citizen-driven effort to mobilize communities to respond to opportunities or crises in order to advance the collective good.

Since the start of the Arab Spring, civic entrepreneurship has included the rise of protest movements and yielded innovative approaches to political mobilization and popular resistance, which have taken ruling regimes by surprise.

 It has spurred the creation of new groups and associations working to tackle local issues and build civic participation in regional countries. It has even encompassed an increasing number of technology startups led by young, educated individuals looking to solve everyday problems.

Through these entities, activists, entrepreneurs, artists, musicians, filmmakers, and others have applied their talents to the task of rebuilding their countries’ political, economic, social, and cultural fabric, in both direct and indirect ways.

While emerging from the grassroots, these initiatives have, at times, had national and even regional consequences.

In countries impacted by the Arab Spring, civic entrepreneurism also reflects several new and important trends, including increased political and social awareness, a growing interest in collaborating with others on matters of common concern, a burgeoning commitment to self-expression and risk-taking, and a rejection of traditional social expectations, the politics of fear, and government intimidation.

 Collectively, these trends have profoundly shaped people’s behaviors, hopes, and dreams in ways that are equally as important as the out¬ come of parliamentary elections and the health of national economies.

Both in the short and long term, they have made the Arab Spring a truly unique and unprecedented phenomenon.