The fifth wave of democratisation?: Political change without regime change in Arab countries

Abstract

From a comparative perspective, this paper studies political change processes that followed the Arab protests and revolutions since December 2010. Previous experiences show the tendency of democracies to appear in waves. However, we hypothesise that we are not facing a new wave of democratisation in the Arab World, but a wave of political change that comprises several different processes (democratization, political liberalisation, new forms of authoritarianism or cosmetic reforms of authoritarian regimes). Firstly, we frame current dynamics in North Africa and the Middle East into a fifth wave of political change. Secondly, we study political change models and consider their origins, proceedings and current political processes. Thirdly, we examine these processes, paying especial attention to changes in party systems, constitutional reforms and elections. Finally, we evaluate if a change in the nature of Arab regimes has taken place. Our main conclusion is that in countries that have started a transition towards democracy, a resulting democratic regime is unclear (Tunisia, Libya and Yemen) or the democratic transition has failed (Egypt). In addition, the remaining Arab countries with political reforms have not registered a real change in their regimes, which remain authoritarian.