Disoccupati, rivoluzionari, estremisti... Una critica al discorso su giovani, lavoro e mobilitazione nel mondo arabo

Much has been said about Arab youth in the last decade first as the heroes of the Arab uprisings in 2010-2011 and then – when the first enthusiasm after the revolts melted away – as uncontrolled masses of unemployed, illegal migrants and easy victims of organized crime and extremist groups. More in general, youth and Arab youth in particular have become a key development and security priority as exemplified by the 2016 Arab Human Development Report. But what is it behind such a general appraisal of the youth category in public policies and concern? This article aims precisely at answering this question by analysing the prevalent narrative on youth, labour and political mobilization used by international agencies, governments and, at least partially, the academia. The analysis and the examples given are taken from Arab countries, but similar narratives are used also toward youth living in the post-democracies of Europe and North America.