1st Edition

Beyond Regionalism? Regional Cooperation, Regionalism and Regionalization in the Middle East

Edited By Cilja Harders, Matteo Legrenzi Copyright 2008

    Regional cooperation, regionalism and regionalization in the Middle East are usually considered to be weak and rather ceremonial. However, since September 11, 2001, a new regional order is emerging and the impact of geostrategic changes in the international environment has yet to be satisfactorily studied. With older regional organizations suffering from weaknesses, new forms appear to be developing and flourishing, due either to European support or growing sub-regional identities. This volume offers refined theoretical models and approaches which are attuned to the new dynamics and contradictions of a wide range of regionalist projects in the contemporary Middle East. Case studies of the most important regional organizations in different policy fields offer comprehensive overviews of the main actors, institutions, historical development and current issues.

    Introduction Beyond Regionalism? Regional Cooperation, Regionalism and Regionalization in the Middle East, Matteo Legrenzi, Cilja Harders; Part 1 Theorizing Regionalism and Regionalization in the Middle East; Chapter 1 Comparing Regionalist Projects in the Middle East and Elsewhere: One Step Back, Two Steps Forward, Fred H. Lawson; Chapter 2 Analyzing Regional Cooperation after September 11, 2001: The Emergence of a New Regional Order in the Arab World, Cilja Harders; Chapter 3 Regional Ambition, Institutions, Social Capital—Regional Cooperation and External Actors, Simone Ruiz, Valentin Zahrnt; Chapter 4 Regionalism and Regionalization: The State of the Art from a Neo-Realist Perspective, Monica Gariup; Chapter 5 Regionalism and Securitization: The Case of the Middle East, Bezen Balamir Coskun; Part 2 Case Studies; Chapter 6 Did the GCC Make a Difference? Institutional Realities and (Un)Intended Consequences, Matteo Legrenzi; Chapter 7 The Organization of the Islamic Conference: From Ceremonial Politics Towards Politicization?, Ishtiaq Ahmad; Chapter 8 Regional Organizations as Conflict Mediators? The Arab League and Iraq, Ibrahim Al-Marashi; Chapter 9 Regional Organizations, Regional Identities and Minorities: The Arabs and the Kurdish Question, David Romano, Lucy Brown; Chapter 10 Intraregional Economic Integration: The Cases of GAFTA and MAFTA, Anja Zorob; Chapter 11 Regional Cooperation Under Conflict: Israeli–Arab Business Cooperation in the Middle East, Sabine Hofmann;

    Biography

    Cilja Harders is a Professor of Political Science and Head of the Centre for Middle Eastern and North African Politics, Freie Universtät Berlin, Germany. Matteo Legrenzi is Assistant Professor in the Graduate School of Public and International Affairs, University of Ottawa, Canada.

    'The great strength of this collection is its eclectic mix of theoretical approaches and topical foci. The authors come to different conclusions about the prospects for regional cooperation in various areas of the Middle East and around different issues, allowing the reader to appreciate the range of debates on these issues. F. Gregory Gause, III, University of Vermont, USA '...tackles the critical question why the Middle East - unlike most other regions - has failed to develop robust institutions to promote regional security and development. In reviewing the contemporary challenges faced by Middle Eastern states, it offers strong analysis and valuable case studies to explore the limits and opportunities of cooperation in a troubled region.' Louise Fawcett, St. Catherine’s College, Oxford, UK