Vegard Halkjelsvik - Profile on Academia.edu (original) (raw)
Phone: +4593899984
Address: Copenhagen, Denmark
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The scientific literature indicates that there are many complex variables that determined whether... more The scientific literature indicates that there are many complex variables that determined whether the militaries in the Arab Spring turned against their regimes or not. In this paper I focus on three variables that the scientific literature highlights as the most important. These are: (1) organising and structuring of the militaries; (2) identity differences between the military and the general population; and (3) the type and extent of civilian demonstrations. Through a theoretical part, these variables examined in order to create a comprehensive overview, which ends in the creation of three different hypotheses. I illustrate these various dynamics through an analysis of four different countries that experienced demonstrations: Tunisia, Libya, Egypt and Syria. I finally argue that Tunisia and Egypt were two similar cases, where both militaries sided with the protesters because of structural factors and large peaceful demonstrations. Libya's military split in two because of structure, identity differences in tribe affiliation within the military, as well as the demonstrations became violent. Syria's military has broken into several parts due to identity differences within the military, extensive coup-proofing of Assad, which goes under organisation and structure, and that the demonstrations were violent. In the conclusion I elaborate the outcome in the various cases.
The scientific literature indicates that there are many complex variables that determined whether... more The scientific literature indicates that there are many complex variables that determined whether the militaries in the Arab Spring turned against their regimes or not. In this paper I focus on three variables that the scientific literature highlights as the most important. These are: (1) organising and structuring of the militaries; (2) identity differences between the military and the general population; and (3) the type and extent of civilian demonstrations. Through a theoretical part, these variables examined in order to create a comprehensive overview, which ends in the creation of three different hypotheses. I illustrate these various dynamics through an analysis of four different countries that experienced demonstrations: Tunisia, Libya, Egypt and Syria. I finally argue that Tunisia and Egypt were two similar cases, where both militaries sided with the protesters because of structural factors and large peaceful demonstrations. Libya's military split in two because of structure, identity differences in tribe affiliation within the military, as well as the demonstrations became violent. Syria's military has broken into several parts due to identity differences within the military, extensive coup-proofing of Assad, which goes under organisation and structure, and that the demonstrations were violent. In the conclusion I elaborate the outcome in the various cases.