Edward Stourton explores the prospects for post-revolution government, following the Arab Spring. Elections are being held, but can voters be sure autocratic rule is in the past?

Contributors, in order of appearance:

Aref Ali Nayed, Islamic theologian and Libyan ambassador to the United Arab Emirates.

Khaled Fahmy, professor of history at the American University in Cairo.

Marina Ottaway, senior associate of the Middle East programme at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace.

Fawaz Gerges, Professor of Middle Eastern Politics and International Relations at the London School of Economics.

Timur Kuran, Gorter Family Professor of Islamic Studies at Duke University.

Eugene Rogan, lecturer in the modern history of the Middle East and fellow of St Antony's College, Oxford.

The Right Hon. Sir Paddy Ashdown, former UN High Representative to Bosnia.

Khalifa Shakreen, lecturer in the Economics and Political Science department at Tripoli University.

(Producer: Ruth Alexander).