Modern Middle East Authoritarianism Roots, Ramifications, and Crisis

"The Arab uprisings of 2011 have forced scholars of the region to rethink arguments about the durability of authoritarianism and the prospects for democratic change in the Middle East. This volume is an important contribution to this necessary rethinking. Its chapters offer valuable insight into the complex and evolving political landscape that is taking shape in the Middle East today following the mass protests that forced four Arab autocrats from power, and left their counterparts elsewhere in region uneasy about their own survival." Steven Heydemann, Special Adviser for Middle East Initiatives, United States Institute of Peace "This fine collection, nicely introduced by Noureddine Jebnoun, features timely analyses by seasoned scholars, including several with a wealth of recent field experience in the Middle East. Particularly impressive are sage assessments by Clement M. Henry, Michael C. Hudson and Eric Davis, but case studies by a number of the authors are also of high quality. This is an indispensable volume for understanding the authoritarian political context in which the Arab Awakening began in late 2010. In addition, three noteworthy contributions on Iran expand the substantive canvas. At a time when on-the-fly books on the "Arab Spring" vie for attention, this volume offers more durable scholarship." Professor Augustus Richard Norton, Boston University, USA