Debating Arab Authoritarianism: Dynamics and Durability in Nondemocratic RegimesOliver Schlumberger This volume inquires into the working mechanisms, the inner logic, and the durability of authoritarian rule in Arab countries. Written by leading American, European, and Arab experts, the collected essays explore the ongoing political dynamics of the region and show how Arab regimes retain power despite ongoing transformations on regional, national, and international levels and in societal, political, and economic spheres. The findings of this book strongly suggest that democratization remains off the agenda in any Arab country for the foreseeable future. Domestic political protests, international pressure toward more liberal governance, and "reform-oriented" regimes notwithstanding, Debating Arab Authoritarianism indicates that while the impetus for political change is strong, it is in the direction of an adaptation to changed circumstances and may even be a revitalization or consolidation of authoritarian rule rather than a systemic transition to democracy. |
Contents
| 1 | |
Social Pacts and the Persistence of Authoritarianism | 21 |
Ellen LustOkar Authoritarian Opposition and the Politics of Challenge | 39 |
Eva Wegner | 75 |
Questioning | 94 |
Democracy Promotion and the Renewal of Authoritarian Rule | 231 |
Looking Outside the | 251 |
Notes | 271 |
| 297 | |
| 337 | |
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activities actors administration Arab Arab world armed forces army authoritarian authoritarian regimes authorities become bourgeoisie capacity challenge Chapter claims contestation continued Council countries created demands democracy democratic dependent domestic dominant economic Egypt Egyptian elections elites emergence established example existing external fact forces foreign formal groups important increased incumbents initial institutions interests Iraq Islamic Islamists king leaders legitimacy less liberalization limited major Middle East Middle Eastern military mobilize movement officers opponents opposition organizations pact participation particular parties percent political position President promotion question radical recent reform regime regime’s region relations remains rent repression respect result role rule rulers Saudi Arabia sector social society stability strategies structures successful Syria tion United University waqf