Dalia Mogahed: The attitudes that sparked Arab Spring

Key Concepts

Arab Spring, GDP per capita, freedom, democracy, unemployment, economic injustice, role of religion, women's rights, human development, optimism, political participation, expectations, empowerment.

Economic Grievances and Rising Expectations

The Arab Spring revolts of 2011 were not solely driven by unemployment and poverty. The key factor was the gap between Arabs' experiences and their expectations. In Egypt, despite a growing GDP per capita (5% growth for several years), Egyptians felt worse about their lives in 2010, right before the revolution. This is contrary to the global trend where increased wealth correlates with increased life satisfaction. In Egypt, unemployment rose, and satisfaction with housing and education plummeted despite economic growth.

Desire for Freedom and Democracy

Arabs desired freedom and democracy, contrary to the "clash of civilizations" theory. As early as 2001, surveys revealed that Arabs admired liberty and justice in the West. In 2005, majorities (up to 90% in Egypt, Indonesia, and Iran) stated they would guarantee freedom of speech in a new constitution. 88% of Egyptians believed that moving toward greater democracy would help Muslims progress. However, only 4% of Egyptians had voiced their opinion to a public official in the month prior to the revolution, highlighting a disconnect between democratic aspirations and lived experience.

Egypt as a Case Study

Egypt's success in building a society based on the rule of law could serve as a model for the region. Failure to address the core issues that fueled the revolution could have catastrophic consequences. Despite concerns about the rise of Islamist parties and the military council's actions, Egyptians are more optimistic and less divided than commonly believed. Their priorities are jobs, stability, and education, not moral policing. They expect to be active participants in their country's affairs.

Shift in Expectations and Political Participation

Newly-elected parliamentarians in Egypt and Tunisia are aware of the high expectations placed upon them. Post-revolution, Egyptians' expectations for the future have significantly increased, even though life has become harder. Voter turnout in the last election was around 70%, a significant increase from pre-revolution single-digit turnout. 90% believed the last election was honest, compared to only 25% in 2010. Faith in the democratic process is linked to the belief that oppressed people can change their situation through peaceful means.

Empowerment and Individual Responsibility

A significant shift is taking place in Egypt, with Egyptians placing elevated expectations on themselves. 90% believe it is up to them to fix problems in their community, and 75% believe they have the power to make change. This empowerment extends to women, who played a crucial role in the revolts, comprising a third of those who protested.

The Role of Women and Religion

There is no female consensus on the role of religion in law and society. Women's views are shaped more by their country's culture and context than by a monolithic religious perspective. Women agree on the importance of their central and active role in society. The greatest gender difference within a country is on the issue of women's rights.

Factors Influencing Men's Support for Women's Rights

Men's support for women's employment is linked to men's employment, their level of education, and their country's U.N. Human Development Index. There is no correlation between men's views of religion and law and their support for women's rights. Human development, not secularization, is key to women's empowerment in the transforming Middle East.

Notable Quotes

• "Their political system is transparent and it's following democracy in its true sense." - An Arab describing what they admire about the West.
• "liberty and freedom and being open-minded with each other." - Another Arab describing what they admire about the West.
• "Our people used to gather in cafes to watch football...and now they gather to watch Parliament. They're really watching us, and we can't help but worry that we're not going to live up to their expectations." - An Egyptian parliamentarian.

Technical Terms

• GDP per capita: Gross Domestic Product per capita, a measure of a country's economic output per person.
• Human Development Index (HDI): A composite statistic of life expectancy, education, and per capita income indicators, which are used to rank countries into four tiers of human development.

Synthesis/Conclusion

The Arab Spring was fueled by a combination of economic grievances, a desire for freedom and democracy, and rising expectations. While economic factors played a role, the key driver was the gap between people's experiences and their aspirations. Egypt serves as a crucial case study, with its success or failure having significant implications for the region. A key shift is the increased sense of individual responsibility and empowerment among Egyptians, including women. Human development, rather than secularization, is crucial for women's empowerment. The transformation continues, highlighting the importance of understanding the aspirations of ordinary people.