Reflection 8

I can't help but compare the two documentaries we've watched most recently. Although obviously two very different countries, the citizens of Egypt and Serbia had many of the same concerns and goals. With corrupt leaders, both countries fought to overthrow their tyrant and have free and fair elections. In both situations, the people rallied with a message of peace ringing throughout, and protests attracted large parts of the country. Both movements were pushed by the youth of their respective countries.

Even with so many similarities, the movements were very different. This could very much have to do with what the documentaries decided to show, but then that too would be curious.  In Serbia, Otpor! was a very well organized movement. It had a network of people with specific responsibilities, it had its own symbol, and it had specific strategies used at events (such as making the government something to laugh at). Egypt, on the other hand, seemed much less organized. It was more like a spark that ignited a large portion of the country, uniting them against the unsavory leader. Obviously there was some organization, but most of it seemed to happen through social networks. People were generally gathered at the same spot in Tahrir square, which served as a focal point for protests and the dissemination of information. 

Both movements were relatively successful, although it is difficult to compare results because the Egyptian movement was much more recent. 

I'd be interested to see a further comparison of the two movements, and see why they worked the way they worked, why it differed for each country.