With reference to the Arab Spring, assess the utility of the Essay

With reference to the Arab Spring, assess the utility of the Foucauldian notion of resistance, as opposed to the Critical Theory concept of emancipation - Essay Example ies which were affected, the protestors used common ways of civil resistance such as demonstrations, strikes, peaceful rallies and marches as well as the use of social media platforms to mobilize, raise awareness, organize and enhance coordination between the protestors. Most of the demonstrations were often met with violent repression from the regimes which they sought to challenge. For example in places like Libya, the Gaddafi regime used counter demonstration attacks in its attempt to crush the popular revolt. In an attempt to understand the causes of the recent Arab spring across most Middle Eastern countries, many researchers have increasingly adopted both the use of the concept of emancipation as well as the Foucauldian notion of resistance. According to Leonard (1990, p. 126), critical theory is defined as a critique to the social injustices which result from capitalism, misappropriation of public resources and the commoditification of our contemporary society. Critical theories attempt to explain the present social conditions, how such conditions have transformed as well as how they maintain their validity in the changing society. On the other hand, Foucauldian notion of resistance suggests that resistance such as the events witnessed during the Arab spring are largely a reaction to the domination and pervasive power. According to Foucault, there can be no power without resistance. This paper critically analyzes the critical theories with particular focus on the use of Foucauldian notion of resistance as opposed to the concept of emancipation in the critical theory. The two concepts of resistance and emancipation are closely related in that they both attempt to explain the attempts by individuals and societies to minimize domination, achieve equality as well as the efforts to achieve more political and social rights. There are however a number of differences between Foucauldian notion of resistance and the concept of emancipation. As opposed to