The Revolutions of 1848 and those taking place in the Middle East in Essay

The Revolutions of 1848 and those taking place in the Middle East in 2011 - Essay Example The revolutions of 1848 were caused due to the widespread discontent with the ruling establishments in Europe. The same reasons caused unrest in the Middle East. However, the European revolutions were fueled by a starving peasantry and the working urban poor; whereas in the middle east today, in addition to complaints about poverty and unemployment, is a strong desire to end corruption in high places and accountability from their rulers. â€Å"If you're a minister, you are a civil servant, you are an employee of the government. With all due respect, my taxes pay for your salary." is the people’s message to their rulers. The revolutions in Europe aimed to overthrow monarchies, those in the middle east want to overthrow the rule of powerful dictators who are ignorant or insensitive to the aspirations of their subjects. It is a truism in political science that successful revolutions are born in the streets. This is true of both the uprisings in Europe as well as those we are see ing today in the Middle East. When people gathered in large numbers in the streets or protested before the symbols of power,they were put down by brute force by those at the helm.