The youth and the Arab Spring

Abstract

This paper focuses on the main factors that led to the denominated “Arab Spring” at the beginning of 2011. Despite the fact that 50 % of the population from Arab countries is still under 25, the visibility of youth has been absent up to this point. Through the mobilizations, young people demanded the respect of human rights and a greater political participation that would grant them dignity from the authoritarian dictatorships. For these young men and women, the street has become a space for political recognition and fraternity.