Arab Uprisings Notes Flashcards
(97 cards)
1
Q
What year did the Arab uprisings occur?
A
2011
2
Q
What common theme characterized the Arab uprisings?
A
High levels of mobilisation on a level unseen in the Arab Middle East.
3
Q
What economic reform trend from the 1980s contributed to the uprisings?
A
Reforms that did not benefit anyone but the most wealthy.
4
Q
Which social group became more in favor of democracy leading up to the uprisings?
A
Middle Class
5
Q
Which key Islamist movement is analyzed in the context of the uprisings?
A
Muslim Brotherhood
6
Q
What role did modern communication play in the uprisings?
A
Mobilisation through mass media and the internet.
7
Q
True or False: The uprisings were solely motivated by economic issues.
A
False
8
Q
What was a major challenge following the uprisings?
A
Building a functioning democratic system.
9
Q
What were the main demands of the revolutions in 2011?
A
Freedom, dignity, democracy, social justice, transparency, rule of law, and accountability.
10
Q
Fill in the blank: The revolutions of 2011 were largely focused _______.
A
inwardly at the problems within Arab societies.
11
Q
What was a significant factor that allowed regimes to survive for long periods?
A
Psychological barriers of fear.
12
Q
What did the uprisings demand in terms of governance?
A
Meaningful popular participation and better governance.
13
Q
Which two countries were among the first to experience uprisings?
A
Tunisia and Egypt
14
Q
What role did the army play in the Tunisian Revolution?
A
Remained on the sidelines
15
Q
What was the public sentiment towards Mubarak during the Egyptian uprising?
A
Personal rage towards him.
16
Q
What was a common characteristic of the uprisings across different Arab countries?
A
Condemnation of authoritarianism.
17
Q
What was a major factor contributing to the uprising in Tunisia?
A
Desire for free elections, association, media, and release of political prisoners.
18
Q
What was the perception of Arab regimes regarding their citizens?
A
They lived off and encouraged corruption.
19
Q
Fill in the blank: The political economy of the Arab uprisings includes challenges such as _______.
A
insufficient job creation, labor pressures, and declining public sector.
20
Q
What did the Arab Youth Survey identify as the greatest perceived challenge in 2010?
A
Cost of living.
21
Q
What role did social media play in the Egyptian uprising?
A
It facilitated coordination among various youth movements.
22
Q
True or False: Monarchies were more vulnerable to demands for regime change.
A
False
23
Q
What significant economic issue affected youth in the Arab region prior to the uprisings?
A
High youth unemployment.
24
Q
What was a key factor in the different outcomes of uprisings in Tunisia and Egypt compared to Syria and Yemen?
A
The nature of the regimes and their responses to protests.
25
What was the impact of the rollback of state in the 1980s on the Arab world?
Increased repression and less room for public investment.
26
Fill in the blank: The Arab uprisings were described as a _______ against entrenched regimes.
mobilisation
27
What factor contributed to the persistence of authoritarianism in the Arab world?
Deferential political culture.
28
What economic reform negatively impacted the poor and middle class in the Arab world?
Economic reforms of the 1980s.
29
What was the condition of public services in Egypt prior to the uprisings?
Falling into disrepair.
30
What was the main goal of countries that lacked high oil wealth?
To co-opt the middle class through economic benefits in the form of subsidies
## Footnote
Energy subsidies grew over time, being much higher in the Middle East and North Africa than any other region by 2011.
31
What percentage of revenues did energy subsidies represent in Egypt in 2011?
41%
## Footnote
In comparison, energy subsidies represented only 10% of revenues in Kuwait.
32
What are the characteristics of energy subsidies?
Regressive, benefiting the rich more than the poor
## Footnote
These subsidies left less room for investment in public services.
33
What is crony capitalism?
A system where business success is dependent on close relationships with government officials
## Footnote
In non-oil exporting countries, crony capitalism did not drive growth or development.
34
What are the three main questions regarding state-business relations in the Arab world?
* Is there systematic favoritism?
* How did connected firms operate in a liberalized economy?
* Are there objective ways of evaluating the impact on economic and political performance?
35
Who were the central actors of change in Arab republics?
Middle classes
## Footnote
Secular and liberal ideologies were at the center of Arab nationalism.
36
What was the impact of economic liberalization on the middle class in the late 90s?
A new market-oriented middle class emerged, including small merchants and industrialists
## Footnote
This group benefited from pro-market reforms.
37
What change occurred in support for democracy among the middle class in Egypt between 2000-2008?
Dramatic increase in support for democracy
38
How is perceived inequality related to the breakdown of authoritarian rule?
Perceptions of inequality are critical to social protest and the breakdown of authoritarian rule
## Footnote
The top 10% richest are perceived to have benefitted the most from the market-oriented economy.
39
What was the employment situation in Egypt in 2009?
Only 25% of the labor force worked for the state, down from 40%
## Footnote
Grievances were connected to inequality of opportunities.
40
What role did Islamists play in the Arab uprisings?
Became increasingly important actors, especially in Tunisia and Egypt
## Footnote
They were not the drivers of the uprisings but were main beneficiaries of transitional political systems.
41
How did the perception of political Islam correlate with the demand for democracy?
Rising demand for democracy was positively correlated with support for political Islam
42
What characterized the rollback of the state in the 80s?
Began without democratic opening, benefiting the elite capitalist class
## Footnote
This process was supported by the West and lasted for several decades.
43
What difficulties did Tunisia face in establishing democracy?
Politics became increasingly polarized, particularly across the Islamist-secularist divide
## Footnote
Tensions emerged over constitutional articles on women's status and role of religion.
44
What was the economic situation across the region after the uprisings?
Economic growth declined sharply in 2011 and unemployment increased
## Footnote
No external actor provided large-scale aid to ease the transition.
45
What was a common reaction to the protests in 2011?
People did not expect the protests to bring down regimes
## Footnote
The turmoil of 2011 was not seen as unprecedented initially.
46
What role did the UGTT play in the Tunisian revolution?
Eventually turned to participate in the revolution and organized protests
## Footnote
Local sections of UGTT chose the side of the protestors.
47
What was the nature of Gaddafi's governance in Libya?
Did not believe in representative politics; banned political parties
## Footnote
The General People’s Congress controlled governance, with decision-making limited to a select class.
48
What sparked the Libyan revolution?
A call for a day of action on 17th of February by a group of young people
## Footnote
Massive corruption, especially in the housing sector, was a catalyst for protests.
49
What characterized the Egyptian regime under Mubarak?
A small group of officials with unchecked power
## Footnote
Mubarak and his inner circle were granted great privileges.
50
What was the Kifaya movement?
A movement aimed at bringing about democratic transformation in Egypt
## Footnote
It committed to peaceful means and sought to stop the presidency from passing to Gamal Mubarak.
51
What did the protests in Egypt reveal about public sentiment?
The public became angry due to regime shortcomings and rising poverty
## Footnote
Mubarak's regime was believed to be able to stay in power due to fear of change.
52
What was the primary aim of the Kifaya movement?
To bring about democratic transformation in Egypt
## Footnote
Kifaya, meaning 'enough', began in 2004 and aimed to prevent the presidency from passing to Gamal Mubarak.
53
How many strikes and sit-ins was Kifaya involved in between 2004 and 2010?
3000 strikes and sit-ins
## Footnote
Kifaya represented the voice of the middle class and embodied prospects of change.
54
What percentage of seats did the NDP take in the 2010 parliamentary elections?
97% of the seats
## Footnote
This was perceived as a rigged election leading to increased tensions among Egyptians.
55
What event ignited the Egyptian revolution?
The torture and death of Khaled Said
## Footnote
His case highlighted police brutality and resonated with the youth, leading to widespread protests.
56
True or False: The Egyptian army played a neutral role during the protests in Tahrir Square.
True
## Footnote
The army granted demonstrators immunity and stated they would not intervene until an agreement was reached.
57
What was one of the initial goals of the 2011 Revolution?
To curtail corruption and bring social and economic justice
## Footnote
The goals evolved towards regime change after violence escalated.
58
Fill in the blank: The slogan 'Kulluna Khaled Said' translates to _______.
We are all Khaled Said
## Footnote
This slogan became a rallying cry for the revolution.
59
What was the primary reason for the protests in rural Egypt in the 2000s?
The breakdown in the provision of basic services
## Footnote
Protests were articulated by a wide cross-section of the rural population.
60
How did the regime respond to the protests in Tahrir Square?
With repression and violence
## Footnote
Many were shot and killed as the regime attempted to quell the movement.
61
What role did social media play in the 2011 Revolution?
It facilitated organization and mobilization of protests
## Footnote
The 'We are all Khaled Said' Facebook page was a key trigger for the uprising.
62
What percentage of Egyptians lived at the poverty level by 2011?
50% lived at poverty level
## Footnote
20 million Egyptians lived below this level, highlighting severe economic issues.
63
What was the outcome of the 2011 revolution regarding leadership?
There was no centralized leadership
## Footnote
The revolution was characterized by collective cooperation and initiative.
64
What was the impact of Sadat's open-door policy in the 1970s?
It initiated an exodus of Egyptian labor to other countries
## Footnote
This migration significantly affected the social and economic landscape.
65
What did the 1992 law in Egypt lead to?
Mass evictions due to the repeal of tenancy guarantees
## Footnote
This law worsened the housing crisis and contributed to rural protests.
66
What was a significant social consequence of the economic hardship faced by rural Egyptians?
Increased reliance on child labor
## Footnote
Many children dropped out of school to support their families.
67
What was the public perception of Mubarak's government?
Seen as corrupt and subservient to the US and Israel
## Footnote
This perception fueled discontent leading to the revolution.
68
What was the rank of Egypt in the UN Corruption Index?
Ranked 115 of 139
## Footnote
This ranking illustrated the widespread corruption within the government.
69
What was the significant demographic issue faced by Egypt's youth?
60% unemployment among those under 30
## Footnote
This high unemployment rate contributed to the social discontent.
70
What factors contributed to the Yemeni Uprising of 2011?
Unemployment, population growth, poor economy, lack of rights
## Footnote
Collective actions were made possible by political parties, Huthis in the North, and al-Hirak in the South.
71
When were North and South Yemen officially united?
May 22, 1990
## Footnote
This was the result of a November 1989 agreement between President Salih and ʿAli Salim al-Bid.
72
What was the initial political environment following the unification of Yemen?
A brief program of democracy, freedom of expression, and lack of violence.
73
What led to the fighting between North and South Yemen in May 1994?
Economic imbalance towards the North and failed attempts to merge armies.
74
What did ʿAli Salim al-Bid declare on May 21, 1994?
Secession from the North.
75
What were the key complaints of Southerners post-unification?
Marginalization in jobs, political power, and land acquisition.
76
What movement emerged in Spring 2008 in Southern Yemen?
Peaceful Southern Movement.
77
What did the Peaceful Southern Movement demand?
* Equal citizenship
* Jobs
* Decision-making power
* Control over economic resources
78
What characterized the protests in the North following the Southern Movement?
Street mobilizations organized by journalists and activists.
79
Who predominantly organized the street protests in Yemen?
Female activists and journalists.
80
What significant labor movements occurred in Yemen from 2008 to 2010?
* Strikes by port workers, day laborers, school teachers, and university professors
* Oil workers' strikes shut down oil fields multiple times
81
What was the purpose of the general strike in May 2010 in Yemen?
To force the regime to negotiate with public sector workers.
82
What was the nature of the protests leading to the 2011 Yemeni Uprising?
Peaceful protests with diverse groups challenging the central government.
83
What was the role of the Coordination Council for Yemeni Revolutionary Youth?
To unify the voices of independent youth.
84
What was a notable aspect of the 2011 Yemeni Uprising?
The duration of its peaceful nature.
85
What political culture began to emerge in Yemen in the 90s?
Feminist resistance.
86
What was the UGTT's role in the Tunisian Uprising?
Collaborators with the regime, advocating for non-violent responses.
87
What was a significant challenge faced by Egyptian workers' movements in the 2000s?
Lack of institutional mechanisms to compel the ETUF to join the movement.
88
What was Bashar's first priority upon his inauguration?
Economic reform.
89
What did the Damascus Declaration call for?
Democracy based on free periodic elections.
90
What was the state of youth unemployment in Syria by 2011?
48%, with young women being 4X more likely to be unemployed than young men.
91
What economic reforms were implemented in Syria in 2000?
* Privatization of state farms
* Introduction of a private banking system
* Encouragement of private investment
92
What was the effect of severe drought in Syria from 2006?
Pushed 2-3 million into extreme poverty and caused massive internal displacement.
93
What characterized the traditional opposition in Syria before 2011?
Focused too much on political reform rather than the economic situation of ordinary people.
94
What was a common theme among the uprisings since 1977?
Response to poverty, hunger, and tyranny.
95
What did the youth movements in the region utilize to communicate their views leading up to 2011?
New media.
96
What was the predominant focus of the Arab uprisings in 2011?
Local tyranny, kleptocracy, corruption, and incompetence.
97
What did the uprisings in 2011 represent in contrast to previous mass uprisings?
The people as sovereign, rights-bearing, and diverse.
