Arab Spring

Even a mere quantitative analysis of Arab literary output during the years preceding the protests of 2011 would have revealed the turmoil already existing in North African and Middle Eastern societies. Nowadays, the prevailing idea is one of a distressing and inhumane future, but not everyone is giving up

Initially taking no part in the street demonstrations, Islamic institutions and organizations have been closely involved in the post-Arab Spring phase. Changes at the political level have also had an impact on the religious discourse, which has nevertheless failed to respond to the demands voiced during the uprisings

Social media played a decisive role in the 2011 revolutions, allowing people to circumvent censorship and setting new forms of mobilization in motion. But the regimes quickly learned how to crush dissent by using the same weapons that had made it possible

After the uprisings of 2010-2011, protests have become a constant in various Arab countries. What are the demographic factors that determine participation in demonstrations? A quantitative analysis of the data gathered by the Arab Barometer identifies three main indicators: gender, age and level of education

The uprisings of 2011 were brought forward by a profound transformation in Arab societies. More specifically, decreasing fertility rates and rising literacy levels have led to changes that have ended up having political repercussions as well. But a reversal of the trend may be under way

Islamic institutions and Muslims intellectuals – stirred by the 2011 uprisings and by the rise of extremism -- started an unprecedented debate on the relationship between faith and freedom