Political Directions

1. Political Directions Chapter 27, Sec. 1

2. Pan-Arabism • By 1950, most Middle Eastern nations had won independence. • Despite this, they still felt the effects of European imperialism. • Their national boundaries had been drawn by the West and their economies depended heavily on the European powers. • This led to opposition to western culture.

3. Pan-Arabism • Goals • Arab nationalists believed that a unified Arab state could be a major world power. • They believed that such an Arab state could be strong enough to end European domination of the Middle East. • Experiments in this idea (Egypt and Syria) were short-lived.

4. Obstacles to Unity • National, ethnic, and kinship ties proved to be stronger than the desire for pan-Arabism. • Many people felt greater loyalty to their own country than to the pan-Arab state. • Other factors made pan-Arabism difficult including geographic, economic, and religious differences. • Despite their failure to unit many Arab leaders still held onto the dream of a pan-Arab state.

5. Political Traditions • After the period of imperialism many Arabic nations struggled to define their individual identities. • Most states turned to powerful central governments with a sole leader.

6. Forms of Government • Most Middle Eastern nations today are republics, though in some dictators hold power. • At the time of independence many nations were monarchies but then some later became republics. • Republics: Egypt, Iraq, and Iran • Monarchies: Saudi Arabia and Jordan

7. Forms of Government • Middle Eastern countries vary in the degree to which citizens can participate in their government. • Saudi Arabia has a monarch that has absolute power. • Jordan has a constitutional monarchy with an elected parliament and king. • Turkey and Israel are multiparty states that hold free elections. Citizens there are freer to express their opinions.

8. Forms of Government • In both Syria and Iraq a strongman ruler and a single political party, the Baath party, dominate. • Former Iraqi president Saddam Hussein brutally silenced critics and crushed opposition groups.

9. Islamic Law • Shariah – the moral code and religious law of Islam • As in the past, Islam acts as both a religion and basis for government. • Muslims recognize the Koran as governing all aspects of life. • While most Middle Eastern countries follow western styles of government, some nations (like Iran and Saudi Arabia) rely on Shariah.

10. Challenges to Stability • Many different factors have posed major challenges to the governments of the Middle East. • These factors include minority groups seeking self-rule, rapid population growth, urbanization, widespread poverty, and illiteracy.

11. Civil War in Lebanon • For many years Lebanon was one of the most unstable places in the Middle East. • Lebanon is home to many different Christian and Muslim groups. • Power in the government was divided amongst these different groups. • However it gave less power to the growing Muslim population than to Christian groups. • In 1975, Lebanon plunged into a Civil War which lasted for 16 years. • The Palestinian Liberation Organization (PLO) emerged at this time to launch terrorist attacks on Israel.

12. Foreign Involvement • In time, Syria, Israel, Iran, and the United States all became involved in the struggle. • Syria and Israel occupied parts of Lebanon • Thousands of Lebanese were killed in the fighting, and the once-thriving economy was destroyed. • Finally, in 1991, the Lebanese agreed to a power-sharing agreement that gave Muslims a greater say in government.

13. The Force of Islamic Tradition • After independence, Middle Eastern nations inherited many elements of western culture and technology. • Leaders set up secular governments and schools. • Islamic law was replaced by law codes with western principles. • In cities, especially, young people embraced western music, clothing, and cultural values. • Women gained more freedom to go out in public, and some stopped covering their heads and faces.

14. The Islamist Movement • Some Muslims saw westernization has a form of colonialism. • To them, it was an evil force undermining Islamic society. • They demanded a return to the values set out in the Koran and early Islamic traditions. • People in Muslim lands often disagreed about if this should be done.

15. The Islamist Movement • The Islamists insisted that governments use the Shariah as the basis of law. • They wanted to restore authority to religious leaders and to enforce strict separation of men and women in public places. • The Islamist view spurred a religious revival throughout the Muslim world. • It seemed to offer a balance to the rapid social and economic challenges sweeping the Muslim world.

16. Extremism • Extremist groups such as al Qaeda have used terror and violence to promote their values. • They claim to be in a holy struggle against the enemies of Islam. • Extremists have targeted the United States for attack. • They accuse the U.S. of spreading its culture and values in a new form of imperialism. • They also condemn the U.S. for aiding Israel and helping oppressive governments stay in power.

17. Extremism • Most Middle Eastern leaders reject the actions of Islamic extremists. • They say that westernization is a natural process. • Governments in Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and Algeria have cracked down on Islamic extremists. • However, they were not able to destroy the movements. • In many Muslim countries, people who feel they have no future continue to be drawn to the extremists.