Angelina Ruiz

Government/ Block 3
August 25,2015
In late 2010, the outburst of anti-government and democratic uprisings fled across the
Middle East being known as the Arab Spring. In the article it specifies that the people became
dissatisfied due to the autocratic government and police brutality limiting our inalienable rights.
The government overthrew the first elected democratic president Mohammed Morsi due to the
U.S believing that he would create a theocratic government following his own beliefs and
thoughts. This relates to the ideals of Thomas Hobbes due to the social contract making the
people give up their power to a governing authority and setting limitations on their freedom.
In addition to this the U.S financially encouraged the Egyptian military to overthrow the
first democratic president of Egypt due to the fear of the uprise of a theocratic government. The
Islamic followers became outraged and began to break out in protest demanding Morsi back into
power. One reason was the outburst of police brutality. Many police officers verbally harassed
the people which soon led to abuse. A 26-year-old man set himself on fire to protest his
mistreatment from the police trying to aware other people on the actions being obtained. A
second reason was Morsi restricted power and freedom from the Egyptians by enforcing Islamic
Laws, which then demonstrated a dictatorship. The Egyptians wanted a democratic government
so that their brotherhood would remain. One article states that they believe the U.S was helping
the Muslim brotherhood rise to achieve power.
This relates to the ideals of Thomas Hobbes based upon the theory of the social contract.
Hobbes believed that with the social contract the people cannot be trusted, therefore, they would
have to give their power to a governing authority. If anyone broke the social contract they would
face consequences from the government and/or even death. With the ideals of Hobbes it was
reflected upon the government taking control. Their goal was to have a new government based
upon the beliefs of John Locke trying to involve the people and if the government steps out of
line, the people have the right to break the contract to preserve their rights.
Within three years the idea to have a democratic government never came through due to
the U.S never giving them the chance to represent their ideas. The people still have no input into
what is being said or done because they are still under the ideals of Hobbes. For example, the
Islamic people cannot protest their beliefs and thoughts without being punished by the police.
They have no voice in the government to praise their religion because with that would lead to a
theocratic government.
Due to the fact of the ideas of Hobbes following through, it was difficult for tyrannical
leaders to embrace a democratic government. Tyrannical meaning having an absolute ruler in
place, such as a dictatorship. There goal was to endeavor that control over the people. With that
being said, with the people having no power or control it would be easy to manipulate the people
into doing as told. Manipulation would be the key for the government to grow and conquer many
others with the people following rules and having limitations.
The Arab Spring brought conflicts throughout the Middle East leading to an outburst of
protesters. It led to aggravated people and unheard thoughts and opinions. With the goal of
having a democratic government only put the Islamic people back to where they started. It had
no change for the Middle East over the course of many years still under that act of control. The

voice of the people are still whispers in the wind as their power remains in a governing authority.
They face consequences for wanting to have their naturally endowed rights of life, liberty and
property. There was no structure to change the government leaving the governing authority to
remain that control over the people.