El presente ensayo pretende identificar los principales factores detrás del malestar que desembocó en los levantamientos antiautoritarios de 2011 o que influyeron de forma determinante en su desarrollo, entre los que figuran la ruptura del contrato social tácito en vigor desde las independencias, la corrupción y las desigualdades, la falta de libertades o la polarización identitaria alrededor del papel del islam en la vida pública. A la luz de las múltiples crisis que afrontan los países de la Vecindad Sur, tanto de salud pública por la epidemia de Covid-19, como de tipo económico y social, estos factores o brechas continúan marcando la vida política de la región y dificultan el establecimiento de un sistema de gobernanza que sea legítimo y eficaz. 

Palabras clave: Primaveras Árabes, contrato social, revueltas, desigualdad, islamismo, mundo árabe, democratización, transición, corrupción, paro juvenil, libertades individuales, autoritarismo.

ABSTRACT

This study aims to identify the main factors behind – or those that had a decisive influence on the development of – the malaise that led to the anti-authoritarian uprisings that broke out in 2010 and 2011 under the 'Arab Spring' label. The analysed cleavages include the erosion, and even breach, of the tacit social contract that had been in force since the independences, corruption and inequalities, the lack of freedoms or the polarisation around Islam's role in public life. In light of the multiple crises currently faced by the Southern Neighborhood, both related to public health due to the Covid-19 outbreak, as well as to economic and social issues, these factors or cleavages still define the relevant countries' political life and, more particularly, hinder the establishment of a governance system that is both legitimate and effective.