Reevaluating the Arab Spring: Visuality, Media, and the Struggle for Democracy

The Arab Spring was a critical phenomenon during the fight for democracy, which fascinated many scholars. Although some studies have focused on the civilizational, ideological, and power structures of the Arab Spring, much focus has also been placed on its new media aspects. New media was instrumental in crafting public wishes, political mental frameworks, and the Arab public sphere; this form of visual participation furthered Orientalist essentialisms that simplify the complexity of movements. This essay examines the Arab Spring from a different angle; it analyzes how the region was drawn into neoliberal capitalism, the national political crisis, and the region’s changing sociopolitical and economic structures. From this perspective, the Arab Spring has become more than just one critical event; it is viewed as an experience constructed by diverse forms of media, telling alternate stories and addressing the struggle to make sense of daily life. The Arab Spring is often presented as a social movement focused on democracy and social justice, but its unfolding tells a different story. The revival of authoritarianism, the economic crisis, and the new media’s ability to facilitate democracy’s flaws present a considerably more complex story. This essay argues for a balanced approach that integrates visual and nonvisual dimensions, recognizing the power of media representation while addressing the underlying structural forces shaping the Arab world.