Definition The Arab Spring refers to all activities that take place in the Islamic nations involving protests, demonstrations, and the use of social media to influence the actions of other people. Most Arab nations, including Syria, Egypt, and Tunisia, have experienced public demonstrations that have transformed their leadership within the last few months. People have been dissatisfied by their leaders and governments and thus protested and demanded their removal from power (Collier 2010). However, the incumbents have not yielded to these demands while lying down, and this has led to violent confrontations between them and the insurgent groups. This essay explores how autocrats use bribery, intimidation, and restrictions to their disadvantage to retain power. Background The Arab spring has been motivated by the frustrations of citizens in the way their leaders have managed public affairs. Several reasons are responsible for an increase in revolutions in the Arab nations and those located in the northern part of Africa (Filiu 2011). Libya has witnessed the worst form of human rights abuse due to resistance by the late Muhammad Gaddafi to retain power through all means. People have been frustrated by the increase in the cost of living initiated by their regimes that have advanced their interests through monopolizing various means of production. Collier argues that there is a huge gap between the rich and poor, and this has created class differences, which have increased the tribulations of middle and low-income earners (Collier 2010). Unemployment has made them desperate and pushed them to demand that their governments must establish ways of creating jobs for them. Also, political parties in the opposition side have been gagged by the leading party, and this has forced them to win the public sympathy and helped them to advance their quests for democratic governance. The incumbents have used various ways to retain power; however, these options may have negative impacts on their missions and may make them lose power. Loss of Political Power Political power is addictive, and once an individual has gained this position, it becomes very difficult for the person to release it. The Arab Spring is an evident illustration of how leaders have used various tricks to ensure the insurgents do not force them out of power. However, the revolutionary groups have taken advantage of these options to ensure the incumbents are unable to retain power. Bribery has been a common option used by incumbents in the Arab nations to retain their leadership positions. They have used money and political positions to influence leaders of insurgent groups to stop their demand for revolutions in leadership. It is important to understand that some people cannot compromise their stands when they are given money or positions that will give them fame and wealth (Haddad 2012). Most Arab nations get income from exporting oil, and anyone in charge of these operations gets rich easily due to the profits accrued from this business. Most of these operations are controlled by the government. Thus, an incumbent leader can offer leadership positions in these oil fields to leaders of insurgent groups as a way of bribing them to cease their quest for justice and democracy (Lynch 2012). Also, they can use money and other favors to influence the opposition to stop th