Perhaps no region in the world has had a more turbulent contemporary history than the Middle East. Disparate sectarian loyalties, ethnic divides, persistent clashes between revolutionary and status-quo forces, extra-regional intrusion in the area, and the high level of inter-state conflict has left the Middle East in a state of persistent instability. Yet, in the midst of this regional ‘anarchy’, Middle Eastern states and their political systems have proved themselves remarkably resilient.
In the first half of the semester, we shall focus on the broad themes that are common throughout the area we call the Middle East: the defining impact of Islam in the region; the continuing primacy of primordial loyalties; the struggle for independence; nationalism and its role in state formation; ethnicity, religion and national identity; the weakness of political institutions; and the dominance of individuals over the decision-making process. In the second half of the semester, we will focus on the political systems of selected Middle Eastern states, examine the impact of Historical and societal forces on the development of their political institutions, and try to determine the efficacy and performance level of these institutions.