Sahide calls it out: democracy can't be planted in shallow soil. You need institutions, education, political literacy, a culture of participation, not just a viral moment. And that's where many Arab Spring countries struggled. The systems were so rotten, so dominated by elites, that tearing down the top didn't change the structure underneath.
This is something Gen Z everywhere needs to hear: systemic change takes more than hashtags and heat. It takes strategy, patience, and follow-through. No revolution is complete without a plan for what comes after.
Foreign "Help" Isn't Always Helpful
One of the book's boldest chapters exposes the real players behind the scenes: foreign powers. The U.S., Russia, China, Gulf countries. They weren't just watching the Arab Spring like spectators. They had stakes, strategies, and in many cases, hands deep in the chaos.
Sahide shows how foreign intervention, under the guise of "supporting democracy"Â or "protecting civilians"---often had more to do with oil, influence, and control. Arms were supplied, proxy groups funded, narratives manipulated. The result? Some revolutions became civil wars. Others were co-opted by outside agendas.
The takeaway? Don't believe the hype when big powers say they're spreading democracy. Sometimes they're just spreading their brand of power.
And here's where Gen Z's digital fluency needs to kick in. We're constantly bombarded with curated info---news, influencers, viral clips---but we rarely stop to ask: who benefits from the way this story is being told? This book forces us to ask that.
So... Can Indonesia Actually Be a Role Model?
In a refreshing twist, Sahide flips the lens onto Indonesia. We often hear that Indonesia is a "model"Â for democratic transition in the Muslim world peaceful, stable, and post-authoritarian. And sure, we've made progress. We've had multiple peaceful elections, active civil society, and a relatively free press.
But Sahide isn't buying the fairy tale. He pushes us to look deeper: corruption is still rampant. Oligarchs still control politics. Social media has become a breeding ground for hate, not just dialogue. So while Indonesia might look like a success story compared to the Arab Spring mess, it's not the gold standard either.
His message is clear: democracy isn't a status. It's a process. And Indonesia still has a long way to go. We're not immune to the same dangers, elitism, apathy, and authoritarian nostalgia that unraveled other nations.
