The Journey to the Arab Spring: The Ideological Roots of the Middle East Upheaval in Arab Liberal Thought

by David Govrin

Overview

This book analyzes the roots of the ideological discourse among distinguished Arab intellectuals and liberals regarding political reforms and democratization processes in the Arab states during the three decades that preceded the 'Arab Spring.' It fills a void in the literature that examines the impact of the New Arab Liberals on the political status quo. The New Arab Liberals have drawn public criticism in demanding a change to the political status quo and the cultural and social molds. They have succeeded in presenting to the Arab public a rational alternative outlook, centered upon a civil, secular, and democratic state, as against an Arab nationalistic or Islamist state vision. Their demands for radical reform have led to aggressive and violent expression since December 2010 in the shake-up known as the 'Arab Spring' that shattered a large part of the Middle East. In order to understand the background, the range, and strength of the demands of the Arab public, it is necessary to investigate the ideological contribution of the Arab Liberals to the public discourse. [Subject: Politics, Political Thought, Middle East Studies, History]

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780853039174
Publisher:	Vallentine Mitchell
Publication date:	04/16/2014
Pages:	352
Product dimensions:	6.25(w) x 9.25(h) x 1.30(d)

Table of Contents

Preface ix

Acknowledgements xvii

Introduction to Methodology 1

Part 1 The Liberal Discourse: A Historical Portrait 39

Introduction: The Concept of Political Community in Islam 41

1 The Beginning of Liberalism in the Arab World: 1876-1545 47

2 In the Shadow of Post-Revolutionary Regimes: 1945 to the End of the Twentieth Century 69

Part 2 Continuity and Change: The Liberal Circles in the Last Quarter of the Twentieth Century 87

3 A Collective Portrait of the New Arab Liberals 89

4 Formative Events of the Discourse in the Arab Sphere 119

5 The Debate over the Arab Democracy Crisis 167

6 The Ideal of the Democratic State 219

Conclusion: Between Vision and Reality 253

Epilogue 271

Appendix: The New Arab Liberals: Biographical Profiles 279

Select Bibliography 303

Index 317