No Spring in Africa: How Sub‐Saharan Africa Has Avoided the Arab Spring Phenomenon

Abstract

This article explores in detail the conditions underpinning why Sub‐Saharan Africa has avoided the Arab Spring phenomenon—despite the existence of extremely fertile grounds for political revolutions. Using a historical comparative method, the study draws chiefly from three Arab Spring countries (Tunisia, Egypt, and Libya), and identifies the key factors that aided the domino‐effect of political revolutions in the Middle East and North African (MENA) region. It then contrasts these with the domino‐inhibiting factors drawn from an examination of four Sub‐Saharan African countries: Chad, Sudan, Cameroon, and Angola. The central argument emphasizes contextual regional uniqueness. While a set of factors unique to the MENA region aided a revolution domino effect, a combination of structural, domestic, and external factors equally unique to Sub‐Saharan Africa have enabled the latter to evade the domino effect of the Arab Spring.Related Articles Sarquís, David J. 2012. “.” Politics & Policy 40 (): 871‐903. http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1747-1346.2012.00381.x/abstract Khodr, Hiba, and Isabella Ruble. 2013. “.” Politics & Policy 41 (): 656‐689. http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/polp.12033/abstract Hiroi, Taeko, and Sawa Omori. 2013. “.” Politics & Policy 41 (): 39‐64. http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/polp.12001/abstract Related Media Watson, Ivan, and Jomana Karadsheh. 2011. “The Tunisian Fruitseller who Kickstarted Arab Uprising.” CNN.com. http://edition.cnn.com/2011/WORLD/meast/03/22/tunisia.bouazizi.arab.unrest/ Al Jazeera. 2011. “The Arab Awakening ‐ Death of Fear.” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b8_4OzV8DLw . 2011. “How FaceBook Changed The World: The Arab Spring.” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lnPR90dJ3Gk