From a historical perspective, the Arab Spring draws many parallels with the wave of republicanism that swept Europe in the late 18th century. The flames that started last year in Tunisia have quickly engulfed a region notorious for its autocratic legacy and history of disunity and repression.
No where has this hysterical wave of democratization been more evident that in the North African country of Libya. While Tunisia is about to hold its first democratic election this month, Libya's bloody revolution has ended in the public execution of Col. Muammar Qaddafi and the repudiation of a decade long dictatorship.
The most striking part of the final coda of the Libyan revolution is the way in which the video footage depicting the violent death of the former dictator found its way onto the public domain of the internet within mere hours. The graphic footage depicts the leader being led through the streets of his hometown by his hair while being subjected to ridicule and taunt.
In contrast to the refusal to allow the pictures of bin Laden's body in the media, the video of Muammar Qaddafi's execution has been viewed by millions around the world. The Arab Spring was begun, organized, and executed by the brilliant use of media and social networking. It is only fitting that its most violent episode should be broadcast for all the world to see.
Is it that we are living in a world were it will be impossible to control the images and sounds that citizens view? Has technology become the seed that gives birth to democratic revolution around the world? This trend will pose serious challenges in the future for authoritarian regimes in China and North Korea. The flames that have engulfed the Arab world may well spread to the entire world.
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