THE NATURE OF CONFLICT IN HEGEL AND THE ARAB SPRING

Abstract

Hegel’s position indicates that conflict is natural. In this paper, we wish to explore, from a simple analytic point of view Hegel’s triadic movement called the ‘dialectic’. With this, he developed one of the enduring achievements, a philosophy of history based on change and freedom. He asserted that human nature like everything else; changes from one historical epoch to another. Hegel’s enterprise was not purely a historical account, but a way to comprehend the entire evolution of human civilization in a comprehensive perspective, with an intention of understanding the meaning and rationality behind the evolution. This rationality of world history is the progress of consciousness of freedom. For the past few years, the Arab World which according to Hegel had been static and outside the framework of world history owing to the unchanging nature of their civilization has experienced chains of conflicts. The region that endured abuse and misery for more than a century has risen against the despots to the admiration of the entire world. We therefore, set out among other aims to unravel the root causes of the uprising. Using analytical method, we intend to establish whether or not the recent uprising is a response to or awakening of the consciousness of freedom as posited by Hegel. It is our conclusion that unless despotism is uprooted, and human rights and freedom restored in the Arab world, there will be no end to conflicts in the region.