THE ARAB WORLD AT A CROSSROADS: FACING THE ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL CHALLENGES

The popular uprisings that shake the stability in the Arab World represent a turning point in the history of this region. The events which have happened in the latest months highlight the serious difficulties and uncertainties surrounding the transition process in Arab countries. The demands being made in countries across the region transcend purely political matters and attain economic and social issues. The purpose of this paper is to capture the transformations which have taken place in the Arab World and, accordingly, the main economic and social effects and to identify possible solutions to the contradictions generated by the complex process of transition in these countries.