Title
Regime Change in the Post-Arab Spring
Document Type
Student Presentation
Presentation Date
4-15-2013
Faculty Sponsor
Ross Burkhart
Abstract
I wish to study the outcomes of regime transitions during the 2011-2012 period of time. In particular, I seek to determine the extent to which regime transitions follow a pattern similar to those in the "Arab Spring" countries. Key identifying factors to the Arab Spring transitions included long-standing dictatorships, unrealized middle class political and economic demands, and struggling economies. I would expect as well that communication of political grievances would also enhance the pace of transition. My empirical work will be guided by classic and contemporary theories of regime change; from Barrington Moore's Social Origins of Dictatorship and Democracy to Daron Acemoglu and James Robinson's Economic Origins of Dictatorship and Democracy.