Autocracy, Essay Example

History has shown us that the end of autocracy can result in either an establishment of a civil democracy or bloody military power struggles.  Unfortunately, the latter is more prevalent on the African continent. In many African nations, innocent civilians are killed and chaos becomes commonplace, much like in Zaire’s coup in 1997. The troubles in Zaire resulted in tribal war spilled over from Rwanda, and it is possible that the current relationship between Christians and Islamic Muslims in Egypt could produce the same explosive tension.  Although autocracies limit personal freedoms, they can be an effective quell for cultural disputes. It can be said that Mubarak’s regime was successful in keeping Egypt in peace and in good standing with the Western powers, and while thousands flood the streets of Cairo to protest, they do so in a relatively peaceful and effective manner.  In a post-Saddam era that is gripped in a shaky global economy, government stability is essential.  To that end, autocrats are relying more on the tenets of democracy now more that ever before.  The concessions made to the citizens of Jordan and Yemen are proof that these administrations are aware – and growing fearful – of the power of the people.  Much like the countries of Eastern Europe decades before, people of the Arab nations are now ready to shake the yoke off and truly govern themselves.  Like the nobility of Europe, the despots of the Arab world have exhausted their rhetoric and schemes to keep their people subjugated.  The examples of history – coupled with the unstoppable tide of information and accessibility that is the digital age – will help to spread democracy throughout the region.