I find it interesing how the news story still seems to be that there is an Arab revolt against dictatorship, rather than the more obvious, broader story that people worldwide are rebelling against the status quo.  It is probably easier for Americans to digest the one story than the other, but that doesn't change reality.

The NYTimes today did discuss the revolts and protests as a worldwide movement, that now includes on-going protests in Wall Street.  Some observations from the article:

They are taking to the streets, in part, because they have little faith in the ballot box.

“Our parents are grateful because they’re voting,” said Marta Solanas, 27, referring to older Spaniards’ decades spent under the Franco dictatorship. “We’re the first generation to say that voting is worthless.”

Economics have been one driving force, with growingincome inequality, high unemployment and recession-driven cuts in social spending breeding widespread malaise. Alienation runs especially deep in Europe, with boycotts and strikes that, in London and Athens, erupted into violence.

But even in India and Israel, where growth remains robust, protesters say they so distrust their country’s political class and its pandering to established interest groups that they feel only an assault on the system itself can bring about real change.