The leading cause of the Arab Spring in the early 2010s was widespread discontent with authoritarian regimes, economic stagnation, and a lack of political freedoms in the Arab world. The movement began with the self-immolation of Mohamed Bouazizi in Tunisia in December 2010, which sparked protests against government corruption and police brutality. Social media played a critical role in mobilizing grassroots movements across the region, leading to uprisings in countries like Egypt, Libya, and Syria. Ultimately, the Arab Spring called for democratic reforms, but the outcomes varied significantly, with some nations experiencing conflict and others limited reforms.