Are we seeing a new 1968?

In 1968, there were huge protest movements around the world led by workers and students, including in France, Germany, Japan, Mexico, and the U.S (and I’m probably missing some countries). In general, they were characterized by a generational contestation of the post-WW2 and Cold War order.

I’ve been wondering how comparable the global contestations since the (perhaps poorly named) Arab Spring are to ‘The Year of the Young Rebels’ in 1968. There have been mass demonstrations throughout the Arab World, often spearheaded by students and young people frustrated with undemocratic governments and very limited economic opportunity. The governments of Tunisia and Egypt fell, and pro-democracy protests in Syria have turned into a complex civil war. There were the London riots and the Occupy movement in the U.S., which is still going strong in some places even though the media coverage long ago moved on. Now, a protest over downtown development has turned into nationwide demonstrations and occupations in Turkey, and there is a diverse protest movement in Brazil as well. What’s next? Do these movements share essential characteristics?

I’m just looking to start a conversation here. I’m especially interested in hearing the thoughts of those who actually lived through 1968.