Abstract

Tunisia’s Jasmine revolution and the Arab Spring are unfolding amidst the resurgence of five sets of debates over the proper role of the international community in democracy promotion efforts abroad, including in the Middle East and North Africa, which were once thought to be impervious to democratic change. These debates, which are explored here within the context of the Arab Spring, range from the normative question of whether the international community should be actively involved in democracy promotion efforts abroad, to what forms of intervention should constitute part of the global arsenal for those intent on seeking democracy’s spread. A final section reflects on whether international efforts will contribute to the further strengthening of the Arab Spring or a return to an Arab Winter of authoritarianism.

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