I can't say much for the factual basis of 'how we got here', but this is definitely one interesting view/take on it.

I sometimes wonder to what degree each of the recent movements (Tunisia, Egypt, Libya, and now the U.S.) has inspired each other to not put up with the oppression of the status quo. It would certainly warm my heart to know that such different groups from such different backgrounds can inspire the other simply through a common feeling of not wanting to put up with so many unpunished injustices. I think if that were the case, this would be the first time in the history of humanity for this to have happened (at least on this scale).

Or, perhaps a more objective, eagle eyed historian might conclude each movement really was a 'stand alone complex'.