CULTIVATING THE “ARAB SPRING”. EDUCATION, DEMOCRACY AND CIVIL SOCIETY IN THE STATES OF ISLAMIC ROOT

Abstract

This paper examines the role that education must play in the processes of democratization in Islamic societies. For this purpose, first, is dismantled one of the main elements of the hegemonic orientalist discourse: the idea that the oriental individual, because of its ontological docility, is incapable of building societies governed by democratic standards of conduct. Subsequently, we analyze the causes that have led to the situation of subjection to authoritarian regimes and we shows that events such as the “Arab Spring” declare the existence of principles of active citizenship which may foster the emergence of democratic regimes. Finally, we conclude that, in order that these movements of emancipation can follow the democratic way, it is necessary to change the educational structures inherited from the colonial and postcolonial authoritarian regimes.