ABSTRACT
This chapter explores the Arab uprisings through both a thematic analysis and a series of brief case-studies. Prior to the Arab uprisings, Bahrain and Libya functioned under very different political systems. In the years leading up to the uprisings, corruption ran deep within Bahrain's and Libya's public sectors. The role of political authority in Arab societies contributed significantly to the high levels of discontent that were felt across the region. Under Muammar Gaddafi, Libya's human rights record was widely seen as appalling. The chapter presents the causes of the Egyptian Revolution and the political environment that transpired after the fall of President Hosni Mubarak. The crackdown was openly supported by Saudi Arabia, a major benefactor of the Egyptian military, which also moved to criminalize the Brotherhood. The chapter also explores a number of key themes: the role of political authority, human rights violations, corruption, nepotism, and wealth disparity.
