Syria and Saudi Arabia

Abstract

Abstract This chapter examines a negative case, the nonspread of revolt to Saudi Arabia, as well as the violent revolt-turned-civil war in Syria. According to the theory put forth in this book, both countries should have experienced mobilizing emotions due to their shared identity with Tunisia and Egypt, but neither country should have erupted in revolt. Yet, Syria did. The first half of the chapter shows how even though revolt erupted in Syria, it did so in areas with preexisting opportunity structures. It then shows how the disjointed nature of the opposition made it easier for the military to stay loyal to the regime. The analysis of the Saudi Arabian case—the revolution that never happened—shows how emotional mobilization from neighboring events is insufficient for revolt and domestic opportunity structures are essential for mobilization.