VVZ API is not affiliated with ETH Zurich. Data might be outdated or incorrect. Please view the official ETHZ Vorlesungsverzeichnis for binding information.
Yemeni Civil War: The Arab Spring, State Formation and Regional Rivalry
Last Updated: 2026-02-05 16:02:02
Abstract
This course suggests a framework of analysis for the divergent outcomes of the Arab Uprisings (2011) using Yemeni Civil War as an example. It argues that the interaction between different types of state formation and regional context can explain the disintegration of some countries such as Yemen and Libya and the preservation of states such as Egypt and Tunisia.
Objective
1. To get an introduction into the politics of the Middle East and North Africa, the Arab Spring and its divergent outcomes 2. To look at the different forms of state formations within the MENA region 3. To investigate how the interaction between types of state formation and regional context shaped current situation in the post Arab Spring MENA region 4. To look closer at Yemeni Civil War
Content
Countries that experienced popular uprisings in the 2011 Arab Spring had a range of outcomes. Some countries, like Tunisia and Egypt, had a long tradition of centralised state apparatus and a strong national identity. Their outcomes were, respectively, a fragile democratisation process and a reversion to military authoritarianism. Other countries, such as Yemen, Syria and Libya, are newer states that lack a solid national identity, and society is divided along tribal, religious sectarian, linguistic, and/or regional lines. There the outcome has been a meltdown of the political order, along with civil war and fragmentation. Why? This course suggests a framework of analysis for the divergent outcomes using Yemeni Civil War as an example. It argues that the interaction between different types of state formation and regional context can explain, respectively, the disintegration of countries such as Yemen, Syria and Libya; as well as the preservation of the Bahraini system, despite its ethnic nature. Egypt and Tunisia provide further variants in their well-developed statehood and sense of national identity. Yemen will be used as a case study for examining this complexity among the countries that experienced the Arab spring.
General Information
- Language
- English
- Levels
- DS , DR
- Frequency
- Yearly recurring
Examination
- Type
- graded semester performance
Course Components
| Type | Title | Time & Place | Hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| lecture | Yemeni Civil War: The Arab Spring, State Formation and Regional Rivalry |
|
2 h weekly |
Offered In
-
Science in Perspective (In “Science in Perspective”-courses students learn to reflect on ETH’s STEM subjects from the perspective of humanities, political and social sciences. Only the courses listed below will be recognized as "Science in Perspective" courses.)
-
Type A: Enhancement of Reflection Competence (SiP courses are recommended for bachelor students after their first-year examination and for all master- or doctoral students. All SiP courses are listed in Type A. Courses listed under Type B are only recommendations for enrollment for specific departments.)
-
-
Doctorate Humanities, Social and Political Sciences (More Information at: )