Abstract
As the post development of the Arab Spring unfolds in the Middle East, observers question the effectiveness of Cyber-Democracy in the region. Although regimes have changed, new conflict zones have emerged and are dramatically effecting public opinion on the matter of Democracy. The framework of this discussion will analyze where the direction of the region is headed and to ascertain where the Arab Street stands in the context of the times. Despite positive developments in the use of platforms for Cyber-Democracy, the region is once again at the crossroads presenting conflicting results. The spectrum of measuring success is incredibly diverse and continues to defy what the road to liberal democracy will look like in the Middle East. This analysis aims to answer the question: Is Cyber-Democracy showing progress or regression in the context of the Post-Arab Spring? In addition to answering this question, Egypt and Tunisia will serve as models for failure and limited success, respectively. This analysis will also showcase new polling data shedding light on developing opinions in the region. Finally, challenges of illiberalism in the context of an “Arab Democracy” will be analyzed.
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Xavier, R.F., Campbell, D.F.J. (2018). Cyber-Democracy in the Middle East. In: Carayannis, E., Campbell, D., Efthymiopoulos, M. (eds) Handbook of Cyber-Development, Cyber-Democracy, and Cyber-Defense. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-09069-6_5
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