The protests and civil unrest in the Arab world this year have had considerable repercussions for each individual country affected, not to mention the wider world. The way we see social media has changed, with news coverage stressing the role that networks such as Twitter and Facebook played over the course of the uprisings; one newborn Egyptian girl has even been named Facebook. However, Faisal J. Abbas pointed out in the Arab Spring talk, one of the many interesting events run by the Cambridge Festival of Ideas, the role that social media played is part of a wider picture of technological advances that started in the 90s.
The Arab Spring event was held in partnership with the RCUK (Research Councils UK) and provided insightful ideas and opinions on the recent uprisings. With three well informed and well spoken speakers the event was fascinating and provided a great platform to learn more about the recent events in countries such as Egypt, Tunisia, Morocco, Libya, Bahrain and Syria.
Faisal Abbas talked about the role the internet and social media played in mobilising people and highlighted the changing nature of media in many of the countries where protests took place, suggesting that social media sped up the domino effect of civil unrest that spread within countries and the region. An element of this is the support and rallying effect of social media on the internet, highlighted again recently with the move by Saudi women to drive. This action has been bolstered by the support found nationally and internationally on the internet.
His talk also showed how state media has got caught out when it lies or alters reports more often now because stories and photos that have been changed end up going viral on-line, much to the embarrassment of the government and leaders. This image of Mubarak is a famous example of that.
Photoshopped image of Mubarak at Summit
What stuck with me during Dr Glen Rangwala’s talk was the unpredictable way in which the protests had started and finished, highlighting the uncertainty and complexities of civil unrest and state responses. The fact that both protesters and governments seemed to underestimate the power of the uprisings was arguably an interesting element in their success. He also stressed that in each country, although there are similarities, there were different motivations and causes.
Finally, Dr Abdelwahab El-Effendi talked about the Islamic parties and groups in the nations affected and how they have responded to the uprisings. What I found interesting is the trend to fear political parties with ties to Islamic traditions or religion within the West, which arguably may not always be reasonable. Given the overtly Christian nature of many conservative and even liberal parties in countries such as the USA perhaps it should not be a question of “Islamic leaders” but rather a question of separation of state and religion, regardless of which religion it is.
The three talks were followed by questions and discussions which only seemed to highlight the uncertain outcome of these uprising. Questions ranged from NATO involvement in Libya and the West’s tendency to cherry pick moral causes, to whether Libya would be the next Iran, and what kind of political outcomes could be expected in these countries. One conclusion that can be safely drawn is that politics in the Arab world are changing; only time will tell how.
Arab Spring Festival of Ideas Cambridge
Facilitated by:
Bridget Kendall BBC Diplomatic correspondant
Speakers:
Dr Glen Rangwala POLIS, University of Cambridge
Faisal J. Abbas Journalist, blogger and social commentator
Dr Abdelwahab El-Effendi Global Uncertainties Fellow, Centre for the Study of Democracy, University of Westminister.
For more information on the event please click here. A podcast of the talk should be available soon.