The New Authoritarianism in the Middle East and North Africa (Indiana Series in Middle East Studies)
Stephen J. King
Stephen J. King considers the reasons that international and domestic efforts toward democratization have failed to take hold in the Arab world. Focusing on Egypt, Tunisia, Syria, and Algeria, he suggests that a complex set of variables characterizes authoritarian rule and helps to explain both its dynamism and its persistence. King addresses, but moves beyond, how religion and the strongly patriarchal culture influence state structure, policy configuration, ruling coalitions, and legitimization and privatization strategies. He shows how the transformation of authoritarianism has taken place amid shifting social relations and political institutions and how these changes have affected the lives of millions. Ultimately, King's forward-thinking analysis offers a way to enhance the prospects for democracy in the Middle East and North Africa.
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About Stephen J. King
Reviews for The New Authoritarianism in the Middle East and North Africa (Indiana Series in Middle East Studies)
I. William Zartman
Johns Hopkins University
This is another, very worthwhile, study in a slowly growing field of work trying to explain the persistence of authoritarian rule in the Arab world . . .86:5, 2010
International Affairs
This book sets itself apart from other political science research by adopting a critical, evidence-based and systematic approach in analyzing how economic reforms have made authoritarianism stronger in the region, counter to popular beliefs.
Journal of International Affairs
[T]his book is important for our understanding of authoritarian persistence, the political economy of economic liberalization and the current breakdown of authoritarian upgrading in the Middle East.June 2012
Perspectives on Politics
The book is well written, well-researched and ably constructed. It reads well, follows a clear and consistently logical structure, and draws on a rich variety of sources. . . . In general, the author's arguments are fair, responsible and balanced—no mean feat when dealing with issues as complex and sensitive as authoritarianism versus democracy in the Arab world. 2011
Bustan: Middle East Book Review