The differences were in the response from government officials and what tactics were used by protestors to place increasing amounts of pressure on these regimes. (Anderson, 2011) (Goldstone, 2011)
Depending upon the definition of a real revolution, there are certain characteristics that might not qualify some countries under this kind of status. For example, in Tunisia and Egypt there were continuing demonstrations along with general strikes that shut down both countries. This forced these regimes to give up power, in an effort to meet the demands of the general public. In this aspect, the underlying amounts of violence were less severe (which is making these revolutions appear as if they do not fully qualify). (Anderson, 2011) (Goldstone, 2011)
While at other times, there have been tremendous amounts of blood shed among the demonstrators and military units. That is supposed to be stopping these protests against the government. In many cases, (i.e. Libya, Yemen and Syria) there has been some forms of capitulation among officers and soldiers who are in charge of the crackdown with many supporting the opposition. Once this takes place, it means that the demonstrators have the tools they need to fight back against these units (which is causing the overall amounts of violence to increase exponentially). This is the point that there will be ragging battles between the protestors and the government forces. As a result, these kinds of events would qualify as a revolution in these countries. (Anderson, 2011) (Goldstone, 2011)
When you step back and look at what...
In nations such as Tunisia and Egypt, these incidents were more limited (which might not fully qualify them as a revolution). Whereas the countries of: Libya, Yemen and Syria are seeing protected levels that are continuing to spiral out of control. In Libya this has resulted in the death of their leader Muammar Gaddafi and the arrest / detention of his family members. While the events in Yemen and Syria, has caused some changes from the government (which is fueling the underlying amounts of violence). These elements are important, because they are illustrating how classical revolutions in some countries are based upon a willingness of the ruling class to leave power and the total amounts of violence between the two sides. ("IOC says Muammar Gaddafi Killing may be a War Crime," 2011) (Anderson, 2011) (Goldstone, 2011) As a result, the events from the Arab Spring are illustrating how this is occurring and that the overall scope of these uprisings took place differently in each country. This means that they are classified as revolutions that are unlike others that have occurred throughout history. While at the same time, they have certain characteristics that make them similar.
Bibliography
IOC says Muammar Gaddafi Killing may be a War Crime. (2011). BBC. Retrieved from: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-16212133
Anderson, L. (2011). Demystifying the Arab Spring.
Goldstone, J. (2011). Understanding…
