The New Authoritarianism in the Middle East and North Africa

by Stephen J. King

Overview

Stephen J. King considers the reasons that international and domestic efforts toward democratization have failed to take hold in the Arab world. Focusing on Egypt, Tunisia, Syria, and Algeria, he suggests that a complex set of variables characterizes authoritarian rule and helps to explain both its dynamism and its persistence. King addresses, but moves beyond, how religion and the strongly patriarchal culture influence state structure, policy configuration, ruling coalitions, and legitimization and privatization strategies. He shows how the transformation of authoritarianism has taken place amid shifting social relations and political institutions and how these changes have affected the lives of millions. Ultimately, King's forward-thinking analysis offers a way to enhance the prospects for democracy in the Middle East and North Africa.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780253004000
Publisher:	Indiana University Press
Publication date:	12/22/2021
Series:	Middle East Studies
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	283
File size:	3 MB
Age Range:	18 Years

About the Author

Stephen J. King is Associate Professor of Government at Georgetown University. He is author of Liberalization against Democracy: The Local Politics of Economic Reform in Tunisia (IUP, 2003).

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments

1. Political Openings and the Transformation of Authoritarian Rule in the Middle East and North Africa
2. Sustaining Authoritarianism during the Third Wave of Democracy
3. The Old Authoritarianism
4. The New Authoritarianism
5. Political Openings without Patronage-Based Privatization and Single-Party Institutional Legacies
6. Transitions from the New MENA Authoritarianism to Democracy?

Notes
Bibliography
Index

Editorial Reviews

"Throws a new cast on Arab political systems and particularly on democratization and privatization."—I. William Zartman, Johns Hopkins University

"This is another, very worthwhile, study in a slowly growing field of work trying to explain the persistence of authoritarian rule in the Arab world . . .86:5, 2010"—International Affairs

"This book sets itself apart from other political science research by adopting a critical, evidence-based and systematic approach in analyzing how economic reforms have made authoritarianism stronger in the region, counter to popular beliefs."—Journal of International Affairs

"[T]his book is important for our understanding of authoritarian persistence, the political economy of economic liberalization and the current breakdown of authoritarian upgrading in the Middle East.June 2012"—Perspectives on Politics

"The book is well written, well-researched and ably constructed. It reads well, follows a clear and consistently logical structure, and draws on a rich variety of sources. . . . In general, the author's arguments are fair, responsible and balanced—no mean feat when dealing with issues as complex and sensitive as authoritarianism versus democracy in the Arab world. 2011"—Bustan: Middle East Book Review

From the Publisher

[T]his book is important for our understanding of authoritarian persistence, the political economy of economic liberalization and the current breakdown of authoritarian upgrading in the Middle East.June 2012

Perspectives on Politics

This book sets itself apart from other political science research by adopting a critical, evidence-based and systematic approach in analyzing how economic reforms have made authoritarianism stronger in the region, counter to popular beliefs.

Journal of International Affairs

Throws a new cast on Arab political systems and particularly on democratization and privatization.

Johns Hopkins University - I. William Zartman

This is another, very worthwhile, study in a slowly growing field of work trying to explain the persistence of authoritarian rule in the Arab world . . .86:5, 2010

International Affairs

The book is well written, well-researched and ably constructed. It reads well, follows a clear and consistently logical structure, and draws on a rich variety of sources. . . . In general, the author's arguments are fair, responsible and balanced—no mean feat when dealing with issues as complex and sensitive as authoritarianism versus democracy in the Arab world. 2011

Bustan: Middle East Book Review

The book is well written, well-researched and ably constructed. It reads well, follows a clear and consistently logical structure, and draws on a rich variety of sources. . . . In general, the author's arguments are fair, responsible and balanced—no mean feat when dealing with issues as complex and sensitive as authoritarianism versus democracy in the Arab world. 2011

Bustan: Middle East Book Review

"The book is well written, well-researched and ably constructed. It reads well, follows a clear and consistently logical structure, and draws on a rich variety of sources.... In general, the author's arguments are fair, responsible and balanced—no mean feat when dealing with issues as complex and sensitive as authoritarianism versus democracy in the Arab world." —Middle East Book Review

Middle East Book Review