Ramifications of the awakening in the Arab Society: A sociological study based on Arnold Toynbee Theory of Challenge and Response

Abstract

This study discusses the ramifications of the awakening of the Arab society: A sociological study based on the Theory of "Challenge and Response" by the British philosopher Arnold Toynbee. The study focuses on the response of the Arab society in the previous historic decades versus the response to the challenges which our Arab society is facing at the present time and the interpretation of these challenges. The study accredited the theory of "Challenge and Response" by Arnold Toynbee (1899-1975) as one of the intellectual theories which left its impact on the Arab society. The study also provided a sociological analysis of the indications and the dimensions inherent in the awakening activity throughout our Arab World. The study concluded that the state under which the Arab society is currently living, according to the Toynbee's theory, can be explained in the fact that the Arab nation has undergone several challenges and responses. The most important of these is the first challenge and response manifest in the beginning and the rise of Arab civilization and the process of the formation of society. Some of the reasons for the weakness of the Arab society, according to the Theory of Challenge and Response, were the divisiveness and division of the Arab society, the shortcomings of the ruling class and the shift of the function of this class from an innovative ruling class to a despotic dictatorship. This shift has caused further weakness of the Arab society and has carried society into living in the glories of the past with their political, economic and social achievements throughout history while launching the fundamental change through revolutions (the beginning was in 2011 with what was called the Arab Spring).