In Electoral Systems in the MENA course, we looked at the different types of electoral systems and their processes in the past two decades. The class was vital to understand the political systems present in the MENA region, their historical context, their consequences, and how effective their electoral systems are. We looked at case studies from the Maghreb (North Africa) to the Arabian Peninsula, Turkey, and Iran. We closely monitored Electoral systems in the MENA to evaluate the level of electoral integrity and democracy present within the region and to what extent it is comparable to Western democracies. If anything, this course highlighted the importance of historical and political context within a nation when transitioning to democracy, the role of political and electoral transparency, and more critically, the level of democratic tendencies pre-transition.
Media is undoubtedly and undeniably present in almost all aspects of life. The course, at first glance, may seem far away from the media. However, after taking a closer look at the case studies examined, we can see how authoritarian regimes use media to block and restrict information sharing. For my final paper, the title was ‘Sudan: A Transition to Democracy,' I discuss the role of the revolution in demanding a democratic government after years of dictatorship, the types of elections in Sudan, the electoral processes, political party engagement, and the role of the international community in pressuring the government. Media control and regulation were essential for Al Bashir’s regime to ensure his party remained in power without hearing or spreading opposition views on the fast-growing media platforms. The strict media control made it exceptionally difficult for opposition parties and candidates to win or run in the elections because of censorship. During the revolution, blocking the internet was a primary tactic for the regime to ensure that the international community was not aware of the atrocities and uprising happening while also restricting communications between citizens to minimize and control the protests as much as possible. The course, with my CMAP topic, broadens my view about the engagement of a democratic Sudan discourse on social media by diplomats, how they advocate for that, and what were their criteria for a democratic state.