AN ASSESSMENT OF THE STRUCTURAL CHANGES GENERATED BY THE STRATEGIES OF “DEMOCRACY EXPORT” AND “REGIME CHANGE” ON POLITICAL STABILITY, GOVERNANCE CULTURE, AND PUBLIC LEGITIMACY IN THE ARAB WORLD

Abstract

This article examines the structural transformations induced by the strategies of “democracy export” and “regime change” in the Arab world, with a particular focus on their implications for political stability, governance culture, and public legitimacy. Drawing on comparative political analysis and post– Arab Spring experiences, the study argues that externally driven democratization efforts have often produced fragmented institutional orders rather than consolidated democratic systems. While these strategies were normatively justified by the promotion of liberal values and accountable governance, their practical implementation frequently neglected local socio-political contexts, historical state–society relations, and existing governance traditions. As a result, many countries experienced weakened state capacity, contested legitimacy, and the proliferation of non-state actors, contributing to prolonged instability. The article further highlights that regime change interventions tended to disrupt established governance cultures without providing sustainable mechanisms for inclusive political participation, thereby undermining public trust in both domestic institutions and external actors. The findings suggest that democracy promotion strategies, when detached from endogenous reform processes, may generate adverse structural outcomes that hinder long-term stability and legitimate governance in the Arab world. The study contributes to ongoing debates on external intervention, state-building, and democratic transition by emphasizing the need for context-sensitive and institutionally grounded approaches.