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After the Arab Spring – Democratic Aspirations and State Failure

Learn why the hope and excitement of the Arab Spring is gone, why so many Arab states are falling apart, why the youth are so frustrated, why there are so many refugees, and what can be done about it. The so-called Arab Spring appeared to end decades of exceptionalism and bring the Arab world back into the mainstream of global developments. The rebellions promised the return of politics and the reassertion of popular sovereignty against their corrupt and geriatric leaders. Much hope and flowery language greeted the young men and women who deposed their leaders and tried to build new, better societies. Today, the Arab world is in deep crisis. Of the 22 member states of the Arab League, at least five have essentially collapsed: Iraq, Libya, Yemen, Somalia and Syria exist only in name today, as their territories have fallen to competing, murderous armed groups. In the remaining countries, the old autocracies have reasserted themselves. The repression at home is now worsened by regional conflict on an unprecedented scale, and the resulting frustration has led to the biggest refugee flows in recent memory. What went wrong? This course offers an overview of the structural shortcomings of Arab states and societies, which help us understand why the democratic awakening did not happen but instead “has given way to civil wars, ethnic, sectarian and regional divisions and the reassertion of absolutism.” This raises the obvious and renewed question whether there is something inherent in the Arab, and by analogy Muslim, condition that makes them special. Does this condition make this part of the world impervious to generally observable trends towards greater accountability, popular participation in political decision-making, greater generation and fairer division of economic wealth? Join this course to find out!

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Rating 4.7★ based on 61 ratings
Length 7 weeks
Effort 6 weeks of study, 2-3 hours/week
Starts Jul 10 (41 weeks ago)
Cost $49
From University of Copenhagen via Coursera
Instructor Dr. Ebrahim Afsah
Download Videos On all desktop and mobile devices
Language English
Subjects Social Sciences
Tags Social Sciences Law Governance And Society

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What people are saying

arab spring

Insightful, explanatory, interesting and thoughtful account of contexts and a sharp analysis of and commentary on the background for and the developments that have taken place in the Arab world following the Arab Spring and the impact it is likely to have in the future.

An useful overview of the Arab Spring events, its causes, consequences, and outlooks.

The So-called "Arab Spring was absolutely clueless and leaderless.

I now have a much deeper understanding of the Arab Spring and the events that lead to the inevitable revolt.

I can't believe how much I have learnt about the Arab World and the Arab Spring through this one course, and it has been an extremely fulfilling experience.

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middle east

I was always curious about the middle east and had a lot of pre-conceived notions.

Not a very objective outlook on the Middle East after the Arab Spring.

It was a very challenging yet interesting course, i never thought it would be that much intense with full range of readings and different perceptions were argued, and looking at the situation in the Middle East differently and not neglecting any views Western and Eastern.

Excellent and very informative course, makes you think critically about the situation in the Middle East.

This is an excellent course on helping to understand why the Middle East is in such turmoil and governments are failing.

Everything I learned can be directly applied to the middle eastern countries today.

I highly recommend these set of lectures to anyone who wonders why the Middle East is in such turmoil with no solution in sight.

As an American, I wonder why we keep sending troops to the Middle East while the situation just keeps getting worse.

I really hope this becomes a mandated course among anyone participating in any diplomatic initiatives in the Middle East and the Arabic world.

Religious extremism and dogmatism are seems to a threat to humankind since WW I, this is an excellent way to learn the reality what exactly going on in the middle east After the Arab Spring – Democratic Aspirations and State Failure.

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dr. ebrahim afsah

www.coursera.org/learn/muslim-world), Dr. Ebrahim Afsah once again did a terrific work bringing a complex subject - the Arab Spring - into a online course accessible to non-Muslims and non-Arabs.

Thank you Dr. Ebrahim Afsah for doing the research and disseminating all the information in a very presentable, and easy to understand fashion.

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constitutional struggles

This was more gripping than the earlier course on " Constitutional Struggles in the Muslim World ", because it is more contemporary, with events related from this century across the Gulf and North Africa, which we are all aware, analysed by the Professor in perspective, with observations from various experts bringing it all in focus.

Very interesting and follows on nicely from Constitutional Struggles in the Muslim World.

A much simpler and shorter course than tghe Constitutional struggles course from the same stable, but well worth whole.

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muslim world

This is really great, very valuable for anyone interested in the Arab / Muslim worlds, constitutional debates, structural challenges, historical contexts, demography and economics, and generally anything and everything that stands on the crossroads of society and law.

understand why

The lectures covered many topics that pertain to the everyday lives of the people, and helped me understand why they are protesting .

Very informative and eye opting for an Arab trying to understand why we r behind other countries and to realize how to go about it Ha sido un gran curso.

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so much

I truly learned so much about the Arab Spring.

After taking the earlier course and learning so much I didn't expect this to be as informative and thought provoking I was wrong it was possibly the best MOOC I have taken of many.It was excellent.

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Training Specialist - Silver Spring, MD $60k

Spring Trainer $65k

Adjunct Faculty, Semester-at-Sea (Fall 2011 and Spring 2013 Voyages) $71k

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Accounting Manager - Weldon Spring Site Remedial Action Project Manager $136k

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Rating 4.7★ based on 61 ratings
Length 7 weeks
Effort 6 weeks of study, 2-3 hours/week
Starts Jul 10 (41 weeks ago)
Cost $49
From University of Copenhagen via Coursera
Instructor Dr. Ebrahim Afsah
Download Videos On all desktop and mobile devices
Language English
Subjects Social Sciences
Tags Social Sciences Law Governance And Society

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