Democratization and the Arab Spring: A Theoretical Perspective

Democratization in a broad sense is a continuous process of sensitization and practice of given, rationalized, normative conditions to regulate relations among the state, society, and individuals. This may entail inculcation of ideas, values, and practices so that society and relationships are based on ideas of justice and equity. The recent phenomenon of democratization in the Middle East sheds interesting light on the process of democratization. Learning what factors triggered these processes is pertinent to understanding the nature and scope of an unfolding process. It is prudent to note that the ongoing democratization in this region is transitional and tentative at best, and there is a looming threat that the old power structure will superimpose itself again. There is a need to understand concepts of democracy from African, Arabic, and Indian contributions. This essay argues for the necessity for further research on the Arabic conception of state-society relations. This approach may unravel whether the social foundations in the region are conducive for democracy and shed light on the nature of traditional authority that has commanded loyalty from people over many centuries.