In his article, Diamond illustrates the political mayhem currently taking place in many nations of the Arab World. The current chaotic nature of these countries is because of political reformists that have sensitized the large mass of citizens about the significance of moving from dictatorial-type of ruling to democratic-type of governance.
This document, therefore, critically analyzes these incidences and examines the causes and impacts of these occurrences in Arab world reformation, as illustrated in Diamond’s article.
In the last few decades, most countries around the world have experienced major political revolts, all in a bid to oust tyrannical rulers, who have sunk their countries into havens of corruption, nepotism and other ills associated with bad governance. The revolts chiefly originated in Eastern Europe, where angry activists toiled hard, to uproot these autocratic rulers, and their regime of corruption and non-democracy.
In the 1970s, for instance, countries such as Greece, Spain and Portugal had undergone this reformation and had transformed into democratically governed states. This phase was dubbed as the first wave of political transformation, with a shift from dictatorial rule to democracy.
The second phases took place in Korea and Taiwan, with the Philippines following suit. The third occurred in sub-Saharan Africa, where Muslim states took their frustrations to the streets to force out these leaders. Established political analysts around the world, now view the political mayhem happening in Arab world as a possible start of the fourth phase.
Diamond also exemplifies how different leaders have been overthrown, paving way for democracy, examples being the Tunisian leader, and his Egyptian counterpart. Diamond, on one side, believes that the mass oppositions will bring liberation and end despotism in the concerned Arab countries (King 35).
This is evident in countries such as Egypt, which is now headed for fresh elections that will bring in a new dawn of democracy (Ottaway and Amr 25). On the other hand, the article seems to differ with the protestors’ main call, arguing that they are now gradually petering out as they tyrant forces overpower them through intimidations, seizure and persecutions.
As it is evident in Bahrain and Yemen, the law enforcers have retaliated by perpetrating violence to demonstrators, killing and injuring scores along the way. As a result, many have relented, negatively affecting their struggle for reformation.
Based on this unending struggle for independence in most of the Arabian countries, it is safe to say that other unaffected countries such as Morocco and Jordan will use this as an example, thereby starting political upheavals in their nations as well. This will hence lead to the ultimate end of the long-lived tyrannical rule and institute a fair and democratic ruling regime.
Conversely, if the protestors admit defeat in their struggle for liberation, the current tyrants will be more vigilant and strengthen their authority to fight any further opposition. This will in turn make it more difficult protestors to struggle for political overhaul.
Currently, rulers of the nations unaffected by these civil disorders have taken new measures, in a bid to curb protests, but not necessarily to bring reform. The said leaders put up boards that studies reforms in governance, but they do not proceed to implement these reforms. Besides, the people are watchful and may as well revolt, on failure of reform implementation.
It is also apparent that the older ruling styles of power inheritance are gradually losing ground, and are bound to fail if intervention through reform does not occur. Moreover, even if these governments defeat the reformists, their relief is only for a while, since more and more revolts will emerge.
Such are the cases that have taken place in Libya and Syria. In addition, international players such as the US are also responsible in sensitizing the natives of these countries about the benefits democracy. On the other hand, the US and some European countries exacerbate the condition by supplying demonstrators with ammunitions.
Numerous nations in the Arab region have experienced countless protests as reform advocates clash with the authorities, in an effort to bring democracy in these autocratic systems of ruling. In their struggle, they have undergone through strong opposition from the authorities, leading to many casualties, many of whom are innocent demonstrators.
However, some have succeeded by ousting and prosecuting their leaders. Moreover, this trend seems to continue until the end of the tyrannical regime.
Works Cited
King, Stephen. The New Authoritarianism in the Middle East and North Africa. Indiana, IN: Indiana University Press, 2009. Print.
Ottaway, Marina, and Amr, Hamzawy. Getting to pluralism: political actors in the Arab world. Washington, DC: Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, 2009. Print.