The Egyptian uprising has changed the political landscape but steps are already being taken to hijack popular aspirations for democracy. Drawing a parallel between two distinct, yet analogous, historical processes, Mahdi Darius Nazemroaya cautions that the forces of reaction might negate current revolutions in the Arab world just as they negated those of 1848 in Europe. The momentum is on the side of the Arab masses. It’s their unique chance to learn from the lessons of history.
In 1848, revolutionary fervor broke across continental Europe. The waves of revolution were set in motion in France. It did not take long before the rest of Europe was hit with a tsunami of popular uprisings and revolts. Like a domino effect, country after country would be hit by revolt. Denmark, the German States, the Italian States, Belgium, Wallachia, and the Habsburg’s Austrian Empire would all be shaken by popular revolt. The bases of the European revolts were the same as those in the modern-day Arab World.
Economic disparity, abuse of workers rights, and a lack of political equality were all causes for the wave of revolutions in 1848 Europe. Industrialization and economic and technological leaps were causing major socio-economic changes in European societies before and up to 1848. While in a very different historical context, this has also been occurring in today’s Arab World. In 19th Century Europe, fundamental economic changes, characterized by the consolidation of wealth, caused massive unemployment as well as the outbreak of famines.
For more: Is the 1848 European Revolution Repeating Itself in the Arab World? [Voltaire]
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