This major research project is the most important inquiry into the fundamental political structure of the Arab World yet undertaken. It is often argued that Arab states are arbitrary political creations that lack historical or present legitimacy and are unable to relate to each other in a productive way. It is further suggested that the demise of pan-Arabism merely underlines the inability of individual Arab states to integrate either domestically or internationally.

The four volumes that comprise this series investigate the roots of the nation state in the Arab world and evaluate the economic base and impact of individual states. They also discuss the evolution of Arab societies and the way this is reflected in individual states. Lastly they are concerned to analyse domestic and international integration. Almost all Arab countries face problems posed by important subnational groups whose integration with the state is often questioned. The volumes therefore seek to establish the factual dimensions of integration within the Arab world.

Adeed Dawisha is Professor of Government and Politics at the George Mason University, Fairfax, Virginia.

I. William Zartman is the Director of the Africa Program at the School of Advanced International Studies, Johns Hopkins University, Washington.

Click here to Amazon to review book.