Adverse Effects of the Arab Spring - Essay Example

Adverse Effects of the Arab Spring The Arab Spring relates to the democratic revolts that started in Tunisia in and spread across many Middle East countries. The Arab Spring changed the political landscape of the Middle East by overthrowing despotic regimes in Yemen, Libya, Syria, Egypt, and Tunisia (Schwartz 1). The goal and motivation of the revolts were to initiate a democratization process in the Arab world. However, instead of leading to democratization, the Arab Spring has destabilized existing social identities and states (Rózsa 2-11). Indeed, the post-revolution in the Middle East is unlikely to deliver the intended democracy. Three years after the Arab Spring, the countries that experienced the revolts are still struggling to become stable and peaceful democracies (Rózsa 17). The Arab world is now experiencing rebellions that have toppled the new regimes and lacks democratic institutions. Apparently, Islam that is the dominant force in the Middle East cannot embrace democracy that dilutes the democratization hopes of the Arab Spring. After the Arab Spring, the Syrian government is now using crude weapons against the unarmed pro-democracy protestors and militarized non-state actors like Hezbollah are now taking charge in the Syrian conflict that depicts instability in the nation. The uprisings have led to a civil war between Assad loyalist and opposition forces (Rózsa 1). Moreover, Sunni and Shia Muslim groups have heightened tension in Bahrain while the Assad regime is guilty of crimes against humanity depicting the destabilized social identities and states (Hashemi 1). In Tunisia, the revolts overthrew the Ben Ali regime leading to elections that passed power to Ennahda Islamist party. However, in 2013, protests sparked again allowing independent technocrats to cease power from the Ennahda coalition government leading the passage of a new constitution that spelled new and presidential elections (Schwartz 1). These events manifest the political instability in Tunisia after the Arab Spring. In Egypt, the revolts forced President Hosni Mubarak to resign in 2011, and Muslim Brotherhood and Mohammed Morsi of the Muslim Brotherhood assumed power in 2012 after winning the presidential and parliamentary elections respectively (Schwartz 1). However, this did not guarantee the democratization of Egypt since the Islamist-dominated constituent assembly drafted a constitution in the same year against President Mohammed Morsi, who was equally facing protests. A military coup overthrew Morsi in 2013 and led to fatalities and a declaration of a state of emergency (Schwartz 1). The military silenced the Muslim Brotherhood that sought to reform Egypt and convicted its senior leaders to long jail terms depicting the absence of democracy and the emergence of military rule that has destabilized Egypt. In Libya, the Arab Spring has completely destabilized the state. Notably, the revolts started in February 2011 that overthrew the renowned African leader President Moammar Gadhafi in August 2011. An armed revolt supported by the NATO killed Gadhafi paving the way for the 2012 national elections with the hope of democratizing Libya (Schwartz 1). The Islamists lost in the subsequent elections. However, violence followed after the elections where the competing factions used the militia to pursue their political agenda (Schwartz 1). Apparently, the revolt never realized its democratic intention since the strong militias have characterized the revolt destabilizing the nation. As a result, many NGOs and foreign governments have disembarked from Libya in fear of continued violence. These aspects confirm how the Arab Spring has destabilized existing social identities and states. Israeli Democracy Israel is seemingly the sole democracy in the Arab world. However, Israel is subject to immense criticism in how it treats the Palestinians who do not enjoy Israeli democracy. Apparently, the Palestinians have lost their input in influencing the political power that governs all aspects of their lives in Israeli. However, Israeli seeks to uphold democracy in various ways. The nation guarantees freedom of the press, democratic political culture, supports democratic ideals, and has managed to separate religion from the state (Hermann 54). However, there is a low level of political participation, trust in the Government, and upholding democratic liberties (Hermann 55). Apparently, Israel adopts a parliamentary democracy that includes the judiciary, legislature, and the executive (Israel Ministry of Foreign Affairs 1). In this democracy, the principle of separation of powers that guarantees independence and accountability of institutions is paramount. Israel conducts secret, proportional, and fair general elections both at the national and municipal levels where the nation is one electoral constituency. National elections take place after every four years while municipal elections take place after every two years (Israel Ministry of Foreign Affairs 1). Every citizen aged 18 years and above has a right to vote once for their political party of choice. Parties in Israel represent diverse ideas and form the basis for elections. The Israel elections define a democratic process where the Election Day is a national holiday, and the government facilitates voting for all citizens. A Supreme Court justice and party representatives constitute the central elections committee that oversees elections. Any citizen aged 21 years and above is eligible for election to the Knesset. However, all public servants must resign from their positions 100 days before the elections to vie for any elective post (Israel Ministry of Foreign Affairs 1). The Knesset elects a President proposed by popular political parties through a secret ballot for a one term of seven years (Israel Ministry of Foreign Affairs 1). The President delivers his powers and functions from the Basic laws that entail the country’s constitution. Israel has a national government and a local government that serves the citizens’ interests. Through the State Comptroller, Israeli guarantees public accountability by recognizing the significance of state audit in a democracy. The state audit analyzes the moral, ethical, and professional values of public officers. Israel has an independent judiciary that serves justice to all. Citizens and the state have a right to bring charges against each other. A special nominations committee proposes candidates to the President for appointment as judicial officers. The judicial officers life but must resign at 70 years of age (Israel Ministry of Foreign Affairs 1). The public can access court proceedings where the majority judges’ opinion is binding. Israel has a house of representatives, Knesset that make laws. Knesset has 120 members proportional to the political parties’ national support. Through state control, Israel has a mechanism to supervise various state and local agencies and ministries to enhance accountability. Israel government is open to public scrutiny by the media, which defines a fundamental aspect of democracy. Moreover, basic law and the Declaration of Independence guarantee freedom of expression in Israel (Israel Ministry of Foreign Affairs 1). Subject to these procedural and normative aspects, it is clear that Israeli democracy is at recommendable levels compared to other countries in the Middle East. Hence, the assumption that Israel is currently the only existing democracy in the Middle East. Works Cited Rózsa, Erzsébet. “The Arab Spring Its Impact on the Region and the Middle East Conference.” Academic Peace Orchestra Middle East – Policy Brief 9.10 (2012): 1-20. Print. Hashemi, Nader. The Arab Spring Two Years On: Reflections on Dignity, Democracy, and Devotion. Ethics & International Affairs, 13 May 2013. Web. 7 Nov. 2015. Israel Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Israeli Democracy-How does it work. The State of Israel, 2013. Web. 7 Nov. 2015. Hermann, Tamar. The Israeli Democracy Index 2014. The Israel Democratic Institute, 2014. Web. 7 Nov. 2015. Schwartz, Daniel. What happened after the Arab Spring? CBC, 4 Aug. 2014. Web. 7 Nov. 2015. Read More