Across the Middle East and North Africa, citizens have become disenchanted with politics and government, according to a new report on civic engagement from the Arab Barometer, an independent research network that includes Arab universities and seeks to gauge Arab public opinion.
Fifty percent of Arabs feel they have a guaranteed right to protest and two thirds believe they can criticize their government without fear. But while many feel able to partake in political life, the public’s participation rates in elections and demonstrations don’t reflect those beliefs. For example, just 12 to 15 percent of those surveyed said they had taken part in a protest, rally or petition within the last year.