Neoliberalism and the Arab Revolts

"In sum, the Arab Spring is unlikely to bring about the radical overhaul in economic affairs that many on the left hope for. The existing socioeconomic consensus will likely see little beyond minimal adjustments. Again, Tunisia offers a lesson: The interim government has opposed unionization efforts by the over 100,000-strong police force likely due to concerns over public expenditures as unionized employees maintain higher salaries and funded pensions. Many young Arabs also admire the dynamic economies of the West, which they believe are based on open markets with social welfare playing a secondary role. The conclusion for some is that liberalization went array due to corruption sabotaging the promising reforms, but that reforms transparently applied should bequeath a more prosperous society. New privatization may be off the agenda for now, but re-nationalization has not been a popular chant either. A less encumbered private sector, as opposed to an empowered redistributive state, would appear to be the probable outcome."


http://english.al-akhbar.com/content/arab-revolts-neoliberalism-not-primary-target