Contested Futures in the MENA Region

The Arab Spring in early 2011 stated a process of political change in the Middle East with popular uprising demanding political reforms and in some cases regime change. A process of democratisation began which challenged authoritarian rule.  However, the trajectories of change have differed between countries and   a clash between sectarian and religious values.

This paper will look at differences in political and social values in five MENA counties, Egypt, Jordan, Lydia, Morocco and Tunisia in 2014 drawing on a comparative survey carried out in each of the countries.  A stratified probability survey was carried out with a sample of around 2000 adults in each country using a common questionnaire. The survey collected information on social, political and economic  attitudes and  behaviour.

The paper will combine an analysis of place and composition looking at differences in political and social values across the five counties and for key groups in the population.   The importance of region in shaping political and social values will be considered in detail. The paper will conclude by discussing the conflicting views of the future suggested by differences in political and social values.