1st Edition

Civil Society and Democratization in the Arab World The Dynamics of Activism

By Francesco Cavatorta, Vincent Durac Copyright 2011
192 Pages 1 B/W Illustrations
by Routledge

192 Pages 1 B/W Illustrations
by Routledge

192 Pages 1 B/W Illustrations
by Routledge

The transition paradigm has traditionally viewed civil society activism as an essential condition for the establishment of democracy. The democracy promotion strategies of Western policy-makers have, therefore, been based on strengthening civil society in authoritarian settings in order to support the development of social capital -to challenge undemocratic regimes. This book questions the... Read more

Introduction  1. Civil Society in the Arab world  2. Associational Life under Authoritarian Constraints  3. Algeria  4. Morocco  5. Jordan  6. Yemen  7. Lebanon  8. The Dynamics of Civic Activism in the Arab World

Biography

Francesco Cavatorta is Senior Lecturer in International Relations and Middle East Politics at the School of Law and Government, Dublin City University. His research interests lie in processes of democratisation in the Arab world, the political role of Islamist movements and civil society activism. He has published his research in a number of journals and has previously authored a book on failed transition in Algeria.

Vincent Durac is a Lecturer in Middle East Politics and Politics of Development in the School of Politics and International Relations, University College Dublin. He is interested in political reform, the role of civil society and the impact of external actors on the Middle East He is also a visiting lecturer in Middle East Politics at Bethlehem University in Palestine.

"Cavatorta and Durac have produced an interesting study that re-examines the assumed connection between an active civil society and democratization... their argument is worthy of consideration by scholars and students of Middle East and North African politics, Islamist socio-political movements, and comparative politics." - Christopher Anzalone, Institute of Islamic Studies, McGill University; Journal of Islamic Studies, vol 23, no 1, January 2012