The Geographical Implications of t he Arab Spring Revolution

1. The Geographical Implications of the Arab Spring Revolution Rev. Isaac Agyapong GGA / GGTA 2012 Annual Conference South Campus, KNUST, Kumasi, Ghana. 1st - 4th August, 2012.

3. Outline of Presentation • Introduction • Literature Review • Research Aim & Theoretical Orientation • Trajectory of Events • Geographical Implications of the Arab Spring • Conclusion

4. Introduction: • The Arab Spring is an on-going political, socio-economic, and geographicalrevolutionthat has unexpectedly shaken the Arab World, in recent past. On one side, it appears to be a normal grassroot upheaval that rocks human society from time to time, due to disconnect with political leadership. • On the other side, the Arab Spring (AS) represents systemic (policy) failure to deliver development expectations to the governed.

6. Intro – cont’d • Origin: The genesis of the AS is traceable to the protest that occurred in Tunisia on December 18, 2010, following the death of Mohammed Bouaziziat Sid Bouzid. • What exactly is it?: -Uprising (Anderson, 2011; Vlasic& Cooper, 2011). -Popular Protest (Bakri & Goodman, 2011; Mackell, 2011). -Revolution (Pereda, 2011; Raiser & Kunicova, 2011).

7. Literature Review • 3 Views have emerged from the extant literature: Labelist, Analytical, & Structuralist schools. • Labelist: seeks to answer the question; ‘what is it?’ (Mackell, 2011; Wolff, 2011; Johnstone & Mazo, 2011). • Analytical: seeks to answer the questions; ‘why and how?’ (Anderson, 2011; Billinsky, 2011; Byman, 2011). • Structuralist: seeks to answer the question; ‘which and where?’ Argues for case-by-case approach (structural audit) (Hamid, 2011; Friedman, 2011; Kuehnhandt, 2012).

8. Research Aim & Theoretical Orientation: • Gaps in literature: very few studies have looked at the AR from a theory-based perspective. • Again few have done geographical appraisals. This paper attempts to do that. • Theoretical underpin: the Gateway Externalities Theory (GET)

9. Theoretical Orient. – cont’d • The Gateway Externalities Theory (GET): • Holds that seemingly insignificant events in history may create a formation of a world urban system different from the one that exists today. It argues that locational patterns of interaction-intensive activities depend on history. • Agglomeration economies tend to bring about indeterminacy – i.e. undefined or unpredictable spatial patterns. • Since historical accidents determine the dominant locations, we must define historical accident and how they act to select the winning. Osaka-Kobe-Kyoto (Kansai) region.

10. Trajectory of Events: • The trend: status/current situation/causes

11. Trajectory of Events-2

12. Trajectory of Events-3 • Causes: mariad and multi-faceted... • Political • Social • Economic • Geographical • Psychological • Technological • Religious • International

16. Geographical Implications of: • Change in Settlement Patterns • Change in the Population Dynamics • Socio-Economic Overhaul • Change in Tourism Dynamics • Change in the Geopolitics of the Middle East • Rippling Effects on SSA and Southern Europe • Change in the Econ. Fortunes of Some Economic Blocs • Shift in the Geography of Violence • Change in the Geography of Gender • Change in the Transportational Geography of the Middle East

17. Key Lessons from the AR: • Avoid bad governance (Wolff, 2011). • Prudent management of national economies (Mackell, 2011). • Regional Balance in Development (Vlasic & Cooper, 2011). • Neglect of the Youth (Kuehnhardt, 2011) – ‘youthquake syndrome’.

18. Conclusion: This paper is an attempt to contribute to the ongoing academic evaluation of the Arab Spring. The emerging picture is the need for people-centered approach to governance, and beneficial public policies, that are tailor-made to achieve common good. Developmental initiatives that address the needs of both regional & geographic concerns are highly recommended.

19. Appreciation: Thank you for listening...