The Arab Spring began in December of 2010. Since then, rulers have been forced from power in Tunisia, Egypt, Libya, and Yemen. Major protests have broken out in Algeria, Bahrain, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Morocco, and Oman, and minor protests have occurred in Lebanon, Mauritania, Saudi Arabia, Sudan, and Western Sahara. Massive civil war is shattering Syria.
These Arab Spring protests have shared techniques of (mostly) civil resistance in sustained campaigns involving strikes, demonstrations, marches, and rallies, as well as the use of social media to organize, communicate, and raise awareness in the face of state attempts at repression and Internet censorship.
Many demonstrations have met violent responses from authorities, as well as from pro-government militias and counter-demonstrators. These attacks have been answered with violence from protesters in some cases.
What is the point of all this protesting, demonstrating, and violence? The point is that the protesters desire those things that people everywhere want . . . jobs, education, food, housing, etc., and the ability to have a say in their own lives, including the right to remove from power those leaders who are perceived as not upholding their end of the bargain in the "Social Contract" with their subjects/citizens.
So, what do you see as the pros and cons of the Arab Spring from the USA perspective? It's survey time . . . CLICK HERE to begin! This is due by 5/3/13 at 11:59pm (you can even text in your answers from Post-Prom if you would like!) for 5 easy points. Rise up now and accept the challenge . . . control your own destiny . . . all it will cost you is a little of your time and brainpower!
Good Luck!
