The Arab Spring refers to a wave of pro-democracy uprisings, protests, and revolutions that swept across the Arab world starting in late 2010 and continuing into the early 2010s. These movements began in Tunisia and quickly spread to other countries, including Egypt, Libya, Syria, Yemen, Bahrain, and beyond, challenging authoritarian regimes that had long dominated the region.

The Arab Spring was characterized by a combination of social, economic, and political grievances, including widespread corruption, human rights abuses, unemployment, and the lack of political freedoms. The protests were fuelled by a young population frustrated by limited opportunities and empowered by social media, which played a crucial role in mobilizing and coordinating the movements.

The spark for the Arab Spring was the self-immolation of Mohamed Bouazizi, a Tunisian street vendor, in December 2010. His act of desperation in response to police harassment and economic hardship resonated with millions across the Arab world, igniting a series of protests that led to the fall of long-standing regimes. In Tunisia, President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali was forced to flee the country in January 2011, marking the first major victory of the Arab Spring and inspiring similar movements in neighbouring countries.

While the initial optimism of the Arab Spring led to significant political changes in some countries, the outcomes were varied and complex. In some cases, the uprisings led to the toppling of dictators and the establishment of new governments, while in others, they descended into civil wars, military coups, and ongoing conflicts. The legacy of the Arab Spring remains a subject of debate, with its impact on the region's political landscape continuing to evolve. The movement highlighted the deep-seated desire for change among the Arab populations, but it also underscored the challenges of achieving lasting democratic reforms in a region marked by entrenched authoritarianism, sectarianism, and external interventions.

The Arab Spring was the result of a convergence of various factors that created the conditions for widespread uprisings across the Arab world. These factors were interrelated and fed into each other, leading to a situation where long-standing grievances could no longer be contained.

Socioeconomic Factors

1. Unemployment and Poverty