Political studies

From Autocracy to Democracy

The Impact of Social Media on the Transformation Process in North Africa and Middle East

By IpekDanju a Yasar Maasoglu b Nahide Maasoglu c

Abstract

Within a short time, a number of North African and Middle Eastern countries have moved from authoritarian regimes to initiate the process of democratic change in what is called the 2011 revolutions or the Arab Spring. These unexpected and unpredicted revolutions were real political surprises in those countries as well as outside the countries. This paper explores the role of social media in the lead up to the uprisings of 2011. On the basis of meta-analysis of published and electronic sources, the paper seeks to argue that social media and social network sites had played a catalytic role in the 2011 revolts in North Africa and Middle East.

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a PhD Candidate İpek Danju, Near East University, Ataturk Faculty of Education, Department of Training Programs and Teaching, North Cyprus.
b PhD Candidate Yasar Maasoglu, TRNC Near East University, Ataturk Faculty of Education, Computer Education and Instructional Technology, North Cyprus.
c Nahide Maasoglu, Eastern Mediterranean University, Department of Visual Art and Visiual Communication, North Cyprus.

SAKHRI Mohamed

I hold a bachelor's degree in political science and international relations as well as a Master's degree in international security studies, alongside a passion for web development. During my studies, I gained a strong understanding of key political concepts, theories in international relations, security and strategic studies, as well as the tools and research methods used in these fields.

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