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political systems in the middle east

Some working definitions. Democratic regimeLeadership: Key decision-makers elected through fair and regular electionsCivil liberties: robust protection for citizensAuthoritarian regimeKey political leadership gains power through means other than fair and regular elections (consolidation of authority).Little protection for citizens' civil liberties (little tolerance of opposition)Two main types: Republics and monarchies.

MikeCarlo
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political systems in the middle east

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    1. Political systems in the Middle East An overview

    3. Regime classifications in the MENA using traditional schema

    4. “Freedom” in 2009*

    6. Complicating the categories: some points to remember

    7. #1 The categories don’t tell the whole story (or even most of it) (They are “ideal types”)

    8. A. Democracies but not fully Israel EIU: “flawed democracy” (faulted for civil liberties: 5.29 out of 10) Influence of the military & religious authorities in politics, treatment of non-Jewish citizens and secular populations Turkey EIU: “hybrid regime” (faulted for political participation, political culture, civil liberties) Influence of military in politics (changing?), treatment of dissidents, especially Kurds Lebanon EIU: “hybrid regime” (faulted for functioning of government) Consociation system and problems with the National Pact Influence of Syria The civil war, 1975-1991

    9. B. “Republics” or “monarchies”? (family-run regimes)

    10. C. Some monarchies have (often troublesome) parliaments

    11. Other monarchies Kuwait Al-Sabah Family (emir), 50-member National Assembly Limited popular vote (only about 15 percent of Kuwait’s 900,000 citizens) Bahrain Al-Khalifa family (Sunni minority) National Assembly since 2002 Morocco Alaouite Dynasty and ruling family Two-chamber Parliament (with real powers)

    12. D. Where to put Iran? A dualistic system

    13. E. What about women?

    14. #2 The time factor: in most cases these regime types are recent

    15. Regime categorizations in the MENA in earlier years

    16. MENA regimes in earlier years, a sampling

    17. Regimes in earlier years

    18. #3. The importance of external players and forces in shaping regime type Colonialism and imperialism U.S. and European interventions Cold War and Gulf Wars Israel (and the Lebanon wars) Arab nationalism and Egypt The European Union

    19. #4. Who are the real political players (and how do they operate)? Comparisons and similarities across regime types The military Religious groups and movements Social players (tribes, clans, families, landlords, ethnic groups, etc) External players (the U.S., Israel, Syria, al Qaida, etc)

    20. Nonetheless, some big questions Why so many monarchies? Why so little democracy? How to understand the role(s) of women in politics and power? The power and limitations of religion in politics Technology and the power (and limitations) of ordinary people. How are ordinary people shaping politics in ways we do not necessarily see?

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