Who started the Arab revolutions?
Transformative historical events usually have profound, long-term causes but can be initiated by an incident or spark. Think of the First World War which was started by the assassination of the Archduke Ferdinand in Sarajevo.
The last three months have seen amazing events in the Arab nations of north Africa and the Middle East. Tunisia, Egypt, Libya, Yemen, Bahrain, Syria … The revolutions are not over, more changes are to come, and we will not know the full implications for years or even decades.
The underlying causes of this Arab Awakening include dictatorial regimes in power for decades, growing nepotism and corruption, increases in those obtaining higher education, substantial youth unemployment, rising food prices and falling living standards, the ability to communicate and organise provided by social media on the Internet, and the confidence taken from experience in other countries as shown on satellite television.
But what was it that actually set off this incredible chain of events? It was the self-immolation of a desperate man in Tunisia. His name was Mohamed Bouazizi and his name will be in the history books. You can find out more about him here.
April 2nd, 2011 at 11:56 am
Not taking it away from Mohamed Bouazizi or all the others who have died since but I think I have to take the credit. I was in many of these countries just before the outbreaks and was asking for Internet Cafes which I think initiated the idea (thats the way to do it I heard muttered many times after I asked where one was). Also I have a revolutionary aura which is clear on my pictures on the QM2 and P&O cruises. I will be writing my book soon.
April 2nd, 2011 at 1:35 pm
As I recall from our union days together, Phil, you always were a troublemaker!