Regime change and religious discrimination after the Arab uprisings

This article investigates how and when regime transitions intensify minority discrimination through an analysis of two types religious persecution following the Arab uprisings. We argue that weakened institutions prevalence outbidding during political make societal-based (SRD) more likely to increase than government-based (GRD). is because social divisions are often exacerbated unrest difficult contain, while at same time, policy change can be enact enforce. test these claims a mixed-methods research design. Employing synthetic control method, cross-national, quantitative from 1990 2014 confirms GRD has not changed since uprisings, SRD substantially increased in those countries (i.e. Egypt, Libya, Tunisia) also experienced change. A case study Egypt provides direct evidence institutional mechanisms. The qualitative draws on ethnographic conducted Cairo 2014, which includes in-depth interviews with Coptic Orthodox Christians. Our findings underscore twin challenge protecting accommodating religions periods transition.