Syrian Protesters Call for “Day of Rage” on February 4th/5th

Diffusion of Anger

Social networking sites such as Twitter and Facebook have erupted with vigor in support of the trend of uprisings against authoritarian rule in the Middle East, among Tunisia, Egypt, Yemen and Saudi Arabia, Syria has joined such ranks. Despite being banned in Syria, facebook groups have sporadically given rise to contesting government inaction, repression and incompetence calling for a “Day of Rage”.

History of Incompetence

Syria is reputed of being one of the most autocratic governments in the region, ranking a record 152nd out of 167 countries on the democracy index, far below renown regimes such as China and Cuba. It’s despotic Ba’ath party has held and undisputed reign over the countries sociopolitical, economic and military life for over 40 years, being one of the foremost Middle Eastern countries to possess a anti-west, anti-Israeli sentiment openly and amending the constitution at the will of its single party dictatorship. Economically, Syria ranks below both Egypt [$6,200] and Tunisia [$9,500] in terms of GDP per Capita at a low of $5,043 according to 2010 statistics, although its unemployment and inflation does not top the ranks of the region, the Syrian government has consolidated power into a central government capable of directing all aspects of Syrian life.

-Konstantin Ravvin