Causes, paths and interim results of the Arab Spring are discussed from the perspective of comparative revolutionary analysis. One has to distinguish revolutionary situations, with a multitude of conflict forms, from ...Causes, paths and interim results of the Arab Spring are discussed from the perspective of comparative revolutionary analysis. One has to distinguish revolutionary situations, with a multitude of conflict forms, from revolutionary outcomes. Also one should consider the options for development granted by different forms of political authority. Sultanist rule here allows for only highly limited perspectives. Such a form of political authority is focused only on the ruler and his entourage. There is no developing of encompassing and persistent institutions that would allow for smooth political change and the provision of public goods characteristic of democratic order. Numerous other theoretical elements are drawn on in assessing the chances of transformation and possible scenarios. Population pressures by an extremely young and mostly unemployed or underemployed population and the lack of a regional power are two of the crucial burdens. Further, one finds persistent cultural-religious cleavages The Arab monarchies from Morocco to Saudi-Arabia have reacted with very limited political concessions and welfare payments to buy off protest sentiments. Thus far they could avoid regime failure as occurred to the more Sultanist regimes in Libya and Syria. In the second portion of this manuscript the security implications of the failed Arab spring are addressed in regional and global terms.展开更多
The media role in the political space cannot be exaggerated. The impact of media on politics and political space are awesome; and the media often define agenda for public debates. The growth trajectory from traditiona...The media role in the political space cannot be exaggerated. The impact of media on politics and political space are awesome; and the media often define agenda for public debates. The growth trajectory from traditional to social media signposts increased relevance and influence of the media in the political space. This work examines the role of media in the 2015 General Elections in Nigeria. The media are assessed against the backdrops of the reportage on party financing, political violence, election handling by the electoral umpire and political campaign. This article is predicated on specific media theories to explain and interpret the strength, significance and reach of the media. There has been a shift in media role of informing the public to influence political behavior and determine the critical issues for public conversations and debates. The paper found that the social media has assumed considerable penetration in Nigeria; and constitute important platforms for intriguing political exchanges including hate campaigns between the major parties. The social media space enables the electorate to directly engage the Presidential candidates on major national issues. The rote of social media would likely grow deeper at the 2019 General Elections to deepen political culture, quality of campaign and extent of electoral competition. A fraction of the traditional media, however, assumed partisanship in the coverage of political parties and their interpretations of political news.展开更多
文摘Causes, paths and interim results of the Arab Spring are discussed from the perspective of comparative revolutionary analysis. One has to distinguish revolutionary situations, with a multitude of conflict forms, from revolutionary outcomes. Also one should consider the options for development granted by different forms of political authority. Sultanist rule here allows for only highly limited perspectives. Such a form of political authority is focused only on the ruler and his entourage. There is no developing of encompassing and persistent institutions that would allow for smooth political change and the provision of public goods characteristic of democratic order. Numerous other theoretical elements are drawn on in assessing the chances of transformation and possible scenarios. Population pressures by an extremely young and mostly unemployed or underemployed population and the lack of a regional power are two of the crucial burdens. Further, one finds persistent cultural-religious cleavages The Arab monarchies from Morocco to Saudi-Arabia have reacted with very limited political concessions and welfare payments to buy off protest sentiments. Thus far they could avoid regime failure as occurred to the more Sultanist regimes in Libya and Syria. In the second portion of this manuscript the security implications of the failed Arab spring are addressed in regional and global terms.
文摘The media role in the political space cannot be exaggerated. The impact of media on politics and political space are awesome; and the media often define agenda for public debates. The growth trajectory from traditional to social media signposts increased relevance and influence of the media in the political space. This work examines the role of media in the 2015 General Elections in Nigeria. The media are assessed against the backdrops of the reportage on party financing, political violence, election handling by the electoral umpire and political campaign. This article is predicated on specific media theories to explain and interpret the strength, significance and reach of the media. There has been a shift in media role of informing the public to influence political behavior and determine the critical issues for public conversations and debates. The paper found that the social media has assumed considerable penetration in Nigeria; and constitute important platforms for intriguing political exchanges including hate campaigns between the major parties. The social media space enables the electorate to directly engage the Presidential candidates on major national issues. The rote of social media would likely grow deeper at the 2019 General Elections to deepen political culture, quality of campaign and extent of electoral competition. A fraction of the traditional media, however, assumed partisanship in the coverage of political parties and their interpretations of political news.
