The Progression of Social Movements under Authoritarian Regimes: A Case Study of Egypt and Syria

This paper examines the transformative role of social media in the mobilization and progression of social movements under authoritarian regimes, focusing specifically on the Arab Spring protests in Egypt and Syria. Sparked by the success of Tunisia’s Jasmine Revolution, mass protests swept across the Middle East and North Africa in 2011, with activists leveraging platforms like Facebook and Twitter to organize demonstrations, spread uncensored information, and attract global attention. By comparing Egypt and Syria—two countries with divergent protest outcomes—the study highlights how former Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak’s decision to step down contrasts sharply with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad’s refusal, which ultimately led Syria into civil war. Drawing on theories from Sidney Tarrow’s Power in Movement, the paper analyzes how social media facilitated rapid mobilization, sustained protest momentum, and circumvented state censorship. The findings underscore social media’s enduring significance as a catalyst for political change, not only in the Arab Spring but also in later global movements such as #MeToo and Black Lives Matter. Ultimately, this study demonstrates that social media has become an indispensable tool in shaping modern social movements, challenging authoritarian controls, and redefining collective action in the 21st century.