We are nearing the end of a year that probably has seen more mass protests in more places around the world than any other 12 months in history. So it is remarkable that, so far, the spectacular results that came from previous waves of rebellion - in 2011 or 1989 or 1968 - have been mostly absent in 2019.
Yes, long-time rulers were ousted by popular demonstrations in Algeria, Sudan and Bolivia, and the prime ministers of Lebanon and Iraq were forced to resign. But the wave of revolution that toppled multiple communist regimes in Eastern Europe in 1989, and three Arab dictators in 2011, has had no counterpart this year.
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