#6 The Arab Spring: Has it Failed?

Session 6: The Arab Spring: Has it Failed?

Music: 
Kelmti Horra (My word is free), Emel Mathouthi, 2015 Nobel Peace Prize Concert https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wJ79iEfus8E

Essential  Questions:
      • Why do some non violent movements fail to meet their objectives?
      • What are some examples of non violent movements that have failed?
      • What was the Arab Spring? Was it successful in transitioning to a more democratic middle-east?
      • What internal elements of civil society need to be in place for a successful transition to          democracy?

Rick's Rap:

Gathering: "One important element of a democracy is.."

Video:"Revolution in Cairo," PBS, 2012 http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/revolution-in-cairo/
 
Video: Tunisian National Dialogue Quartet Wins Nobel Peace Prize," Woodrow Wilson Center, 12/5/15  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_s5l8aHb6rE
            • Debrief
Closing: "Something that I learned today was.."

Readings:
• The Arab Timeline https://www.dissidentblog.org/en/articles/arab-spring-timeline
• "The Arab Spring: Has it Failed?" The Economist, July 13, 2013 http://www.economist.com/news/leaders/21581734-despite-chaos-blood-and-democratic-setbacks-long-process-do-not-give-up

Resources:
• Kurt Anderson, "Time Magazine Person of the Year: The Protester," Time, 12/11/11 http://content.time.com/time/specials/packages/article/0,28804,2101745_2102132,00.html
• "Why Do Some Non Violent Movements fail to Bring Positive Outcomes and How can This Be Changed?
https://www.nonviolent-conflict.org/blog_post/movements-fail-bring-positive-outcomes-can-changed/
• Tunisian National Dialogue Quartet, Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tunisian_National_Dialogue_Quartet
• Amanda  Taub, "The Unsexy truth about why the Arab Spring failed," Vox, 1/27/16 https://www.vox.com/2016/1/27/10845114/arab-spring-failure

One evening an old Cherokee told his grandson about a battle that goes on inside people.
He said, “My son, the battle is between two wolves inside us all.

“One is Evil – It is anger, envy, jealousy, sorrow, regret, greed, arrogance, self-pity, guilt, resentment, inferiority, lies, false pride, superiority, and ego.

“The other is Good – It is joy, peace, love, hope, serenity, humility, kindness, benevolence, empathy, generosity, truth, compassion and faith.”

The grandson thought about it for a minute and then asked his grandfather: “Which wolf wins?”

The old Cherokee simply replied, “The one you feed.”