The world is watching with uncertainity as the "Arab Spring"
unfolds. Optimistically named by international media sources, the
term "Arab Spring" associates the unrest with ideas of renewal,
revival, and democratic thought and deed. Many hoped the overthrow
of authoritarian leaders signaled a promising new beginning for the
Arab world. Raphael Israeli argues that instead of paving a path
toward liberal democracy, the Arab Spring in fact launched a power
struggle.
Judging from the experiences of countries where the dust is
settling--including Tunisia, Egypt, Yemen, and perhaps also Syria
and Libya--it appears that Islamic governments will fill the vacuum
in leadership. The hopes that swept the Islamic world with the Arab
Spring have given way to a winter of lost hopes and aspirations, as
it becomes increasingly clear that democratic outcomes are not on
the horizon. What is worse is that the West seems to have abandoned
its hopes for democracy and freedom in the region, instead making
peace with the idea that Islamic governments must be accepted as
the lesser of evil options.
Presenting a clear-eyed picture of the situation, Israeli
examines thematic problems that cut across all the Muslim states
experiencing unrest. He groups the countries into various blocs
according to their shared characteristics, then discusses these
groups one by one. For each country, he considers whether the
liberal-democratic option is viable and examines what kind of
regime could be considered legitimate and stable. This volume
offers valuable insights for political scientists, Middle Eastern
specialists, and the general informed public eager to comprehend
the import of these momentous events.
General
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