Instructors’ and Learners’ Perceptions of October 17 million-plus Turning Phenomenon and Participation in 2022 Parliamentary Elections

Abstract

This study set to elicit instructors' and learners' perceptions of Lebanon's October 17 mobilization and consequences that started on October 17, 2019, and rendered on October 29 the toppling of Lebanon's government headed by Saad Hariri. In particular, the purpose of the study was to investigate the effects of October 17 on participants' willingness to participate in the 2022 parliamentary elections, the role of social media in shaping their perceptions, and participants' perceptions of the responsiveness of Lebanon's political system to their cry. This study aimed to identify the perceptions of 111 participants who represented almost all categories of instructors and learners of an American university located in Lebanon. The researcher utilized the survey adapted from Zestanaki (2019). Data were collected using a Google form sent via WhatsApp to address the study question. Data yielded findings that showed the significant effect of social media on shaping the participants' perceptions of the October 17 mobilization. In addition, the findings showed that around half the participants confirmed that they would participate in the 2022 elections. However, most of the participants who showed a willingness to vote indicated voting for new candidates and not the old ones, which determined their willingness to vote for a new parliament in 2022. The findings also shed light on conflicting perceptions of the consequences of the 2019 protests. Recommendations and implications were given and discussed.