Jordan Mayhew

LBST 2102-P91
December 9th, 2014
The democratic transitions in the Middle East and North Africa were, and still are,
brought about because of globalization; more specifically economic and cultural globalization.
Economic and cultural globalizations are both forms of sharing technologies internationally from
one society to another. The newest of these technologies is the computer, smart phone and other
audio visual devices that are used to relay information through the Internet and satellite
television. The development of social media outlets such as Facebook, Twitter and YouTube has
vastly increased the ease of sharing and access to information through these technologies.
Through economic and cultural globalization the ideas and philosophies proposed by autocratic
rulers have been questioned and allowed societies to develop their own logical outlook on
government rule. In most Middle East and North African countries the majority of the population
is composed of youth and young adults. These younger generations are also the most avid users
of communication technologies. This in combination with anti-autocratic views has given new
power to citizens of corrupt governments. These crooked governments have left enormous
numbers of citizens impoverished and neglected. Younger generations demanding government
responsibility have finally been recognized through their use of social media. Mass rebellion acts
of suicide and self-inflicted harm began to spread through the Middle East and North Africa in
response to citizens lack of food, inability to produce an income and poor living conditions.
Social media allowed these acts to be recognized globally and spread advocacy on the topics.
The new light shed on the situations in these countries wasnt enough to make a change
for them. Government corruption continued to increase poverty levels to the point that even well
off citizens began to feel the effects. The majority of citizens became very resentful of their
governments and began protesting publicly for reform. In countries such as Libya and Syria, the
security forces punished such acts. The opposition divided into Islamic and other religious armed
groups which prolonged these countries push towards democracy by adding to the conflict and
confusion. However, in countries such as Tunisia and Egypt, even the security forces grew
frustrated and showed their support of the protest by turning a blind eye. Tunisia and Egypts
locations aided in their rapid development of revolutions to democracy. These countries are
conducive to migration and tourism, making them great conductors of global communications.
Egypts once flourishing stock market is an example of this. As a result of growing protest,
Tunisia and Egypt eventually resolved to democracy. They quickly realized this was not a solve
all. Citizens became frustrated with the lack of results produced by their still corrupt
governments. Opposition groups began protests which were shared virtually and again brought
international attention to food insecurity and human rights issues.
Both Tunisia and Egypt were controlled by very corrupt leaders whose positions of
power lasted longer than most. Former Tunisian President Zine el-Abidine Ben Ali highly
monitored and censored the comings and goings of media and information in and out of the
country, which is ironic, as it would eventually cause the demise of his reign. Two major events
heavily contributed to the overthrow of Ali; the WikiLeaks reveal of government corruption and
censorship and the death of Muhammad Bouazizi. Bouazizi was a Tunisian street vendor who
was beaten and harassed by police in the street. Bouazizi was so humiliated by this that he later
set himself on fire and burned to death. His story was reported on internationally because of
social networks facilitating the spread of this event. A similar event took place in Egypt during

their push to end corrupt democracy. The 30 year regime of Hosni Mubarak came to an end in
part, because of a Facebook page. The page We are all Khaled Said was created in memory of a
young Egyptian who was violently beaten to death by police. Photos of Saids disfigured face
were leaked online, prompting the pages composition. His photo and story outraged millions
and the page was a preview of the future revolution in Egypt. Saids memorial page followers
gathered in protest in Cairo, where security forces did nothing to stop them. This led to the
governments temporary internet access restraint attempt. The government was attempting to
hinder the knowledge and growth of the protests through social media. After little success,
Mubarak later resigned from office.
The democratic transitions of the Egyptian and Tunisian revolutions, much like many
other Middle East and North African countries, were heavily popularized by todays
communication technologies. Economic and cultural globalization from eastern countries in Asia
influenced these countries into heavier Westernized civilizations. These forms of globalization
relieved countries such as Egypt through the implementation of constitutional amendments.