Problem
a) In January 2011 Egyptians rose up and successfully toppled the Mubarak regime. Within a few short months, the country held its first democratic elections. However, a dictator once again rules Egypt. Does this mean the Arab Spring uprisings in Egypt were a complete failure? Explain your reasoning. Cite examples if you can.
b) This lesson's lectures and readings featured several case studies on political reform in the post-Arab Spring Middle East. They also provided a set of explanations as to why democratization continues to elude the region: external intervention, rentierism, and the state's outsize role in the domestic economy. Which factor, in your opinion, has been the greatest impediment to political reform? Explain your reasoning. Cite examples if you can.