The Arab Spring

by Margaret Haerens (Editor), Lynn M. Zott (Editor)

Overview

This essential volume offers insight on an often under-covered event; the Arab Spring. It was the revolutionary wave of demonstrations and protests occurring in the Arab world that began in late 2010. Essays collected here carefully debate several issues, organized across four chapters under four main themes. Readers will evaluate the causes, how the international community should respond, how the United States should respond, and the social and political impact of the Arab Spring. Essay sources include Barack Obama, Rami G. Khouri, Richard Javad Heydarian, Rebecca Winthrop, and The Economist.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780737760439
Publisher:	Greenhaven Publishing LLC
Publication date:	09/22/2012
Series:	Opposing Viewpoints Series
Pages:	224
Product dimensions:	5.80(w) x 8.90(h) x 0.60(d)
Age Range:	14 - 17 Years

About the Author

B01

Table of Contents

Why Consider Opposing Viewpoints 11

Introduction 14

Chapter 1 What Caused the Arab Spring?

Chapter Preface 19

1 The Arab Spring Was Triggered by a Desirefor Democracy and Social Justice Rami G. Khouri 22

2 The Arab Spring Is More of a Power Grabthan a Democratic Awakening Leon T. Hadar 32

3 Social Media Ignited the Arab Spring Johnny West 37

4 Social Media Did Not Cause the Arab Spring Evgeny Morozov 41

5 Corrupt Economic Policies Were the Driving Force Behind the Arab Spring Matthew Partridge 49

6 Education Played a Key Role in the Arab Spring Anda Adams Rebecca Winthrop 54

Periodical and Internet Sources Bibliography 61

Chapter 2 How Should the International Community Respond to the Arab Spring?

Chapter Preface 63

1 The International Community Must Strengthen Anticorruption Efforts in the Arab World Stuart Levey 65

2 The International Community Should Foster Democratic Principles in the Arab World Irena L. Sargsyan 72

3 The International Community Should Apply Universal Human Rights Standards to the Arab Spring Mary Robinson 78

4 The International Community Should Launch an Arab Marshall Plan Richard Javad Heydarian 84

5 The International Community Should Have Intervened in Libya Ahmed Moor 94

6 The International Community Should Not Have Intervened in Libya Seumas Milne 100

Periodical and Internet Sources Bibliography 106

Chapter 3 How Should the United States Respond to the Arab Spring?

Chapter Preface 108

1 The United States Should Support Democratic Movements in the Middle East Barack Ohama 111

2 The United States Should Not Continue to Support Middle East Dictators Nick Turse 119

3 The United States Should Refrain from Intervening in the Middle East Matt Welch 130

4 The United States Needs to Make Aid to Arab Countries Conditional Elliott Abrams 137

5 The United States Should Better Prepare for Political Upheaval in the Middle East Paul B. Stares 143

Periodical and Internet Sources Bibliography 150

Chapter 4 What Are the Social and Political Effects of the Arab Spring?

Chapter Preface 152

1 The Arab Spring Has Destabilized the Middle East Richard N. Haass 155

2 The Arab Spring Provides an Opportunity for Islamists and Secularists to Forge Peace The Economist 160

3 The Arab Spring Has Ushered in Religious Intolerance and Persecution Jonathan Aitken 165

4 The Arab Spring Complicates the Palestinian Peace Process Salman Shaikh 171

5 The Arab Spring Makes al Qaeda Less Relevant Paul Cruickshank 177

6 Gays in Egypt, Tunisia Worry About Post-Revolt Era David Crary 188

Periodical and Internet Sources Bibliography 195

For Further Discussion 196

Organizations to Contact 198

Bibliography of Books 204

Index 207

Editorial Reviews

Review: The Arab Spring "Each volume in the Opposing Viewpoints series could serve as a model...not only providing access to a wide diversity of opinions, but also stimulating readers to do further research for group discussion and individual interest. Both shrill and moderate, the selections—by experts, policy makers, and concerned citizens—include complete articles and speeches, long book excerpts, and occasional cartoons and boxed quotations...all up to date and fully documented. The editing is intelligent and unobtrusive, organizing the material around substantive issues within the general debate. Brief introductions to each section and to each reading focus the questions raised and offer no slick answers."—Booklist

From the Publisher