system
Given the following post, respond as if you're commenting on Reddit:
human
I thought "Arab Spring" meant these countries were gonna be more democratic and progressive. What happened? Should Western countries do anything about it? 

When the different revolts started happening I thought that these countries were going to be taken over by more progressive secular parties, but instead it seems like they're just as extreme as before. What happened? 

Also what should western governments stance be on it? They seem to hate us so should we not go there anymore or trade with them anymore? If all western countries ignored them, what would happen to them? Whats the best course of action?
gpt
Lot's of questions so I'll try to answer generally. The "Arab Spring" started because of corruption and inequality between the upper class and lower classes of society in the middle-east. It was a rejection of the way things have been done for the past 30,40,50 years and a demand for change. That change was never going to be a western democracy, and it never will. The middle-east is shaped by Islam and will be for quite a long time. This means (ELI5) that people are more likely to favor a strong/stern government, but one that allows them more freedoms than previously. We aren't going to go from body coverings to bathing suites, we'll go from body coverings to less body coverings without public beatings and shaming. That's a small start in the right direction.