Ethnicity Pluralism And The State In The Middle East

A timely and innovative discussion of the role that ethnicity plays in contemporary Middle Eastern affairs, Ethnicity, Pluralism, and the State in the Middle East is the first systematic exploration of this important dimension in the social life, statecraft, politics, and international relations in the region.

Scholars and policymakers, struggling to make sense of the ongoing chaos in the Middle East, have been focusing on the possible causes of the escalation in both inter-state and intra-state conflict. But the Arab Spring has shown the urgent need for new ways to frame difference, both practically and theoretically. Within some policy circles, at the heart of these conflicts lies a fundamental incompatibility between different ethno-linguistic and religious communities; it is held that these divisions impede any form of political resolution or social cohesion. Yet, despite this galvanized public focus on pluralism and 'minorities' within the turbulent Middle East, there has been limited scholarship exploring these tensions. Sites of Pluralism fills this significant gap, going beyond a narrow focus on minority politics to examine the larger canvas of community spheres in the Middle East. Through eight case studies from esteemed experts in law, education, history, architecture, anthropology and political science, this multi-disciplinary volume offers a critical view of the Middle East's diverse, pluralistic fabric: how it has evolved throughout history; how it influences current political, economic and social dynamics; and what possibilities it offers for the future.

The author explores the process and outcome of ethnic identity on nation-building and ethnic conflict. It sheds light on the question of how minorities position and represent themselves during and after regime transitions and the dilemmas that minorities present for regime change and how social cleavages shape their preferences and identities.

This text offers a comprehensive discussion of minorities and ethnic politics in eight Arab countries. Focusing on the strategic political chaos made by minorities, majorities and regimes in power, the authors point to probable future developments in majority-minority relations in the region.

Offering a fuller understanding of the complexities and particular patterns of state formation in regions where tribes have exercised a significant influence, this volume focuses on the continuing existence of tribal structures and systems in contemporary times, within contemporary nation-states. The contributors offer hypotheses as to why these groups have managed to survive and what impact they have had on modern states ... --backcover.

Tribes and Power provides a comprehensive understanding of the structure, functioning, and change of today's Middle Eastern tribes. In some Middle Eastern countries, tribalism has been strengthened by centralized policies, modern technology, and the market economy. This stimulating collection scrutinizes the complexities of kinship structures in Arab and Islamic cultures, and contains case studies of Iraq, Iran, Libya, Morocco, and Saudi Arabia.

Rejwan points out the error of those who think that Jews and Arabs stand in opposition, representing two confliction cultures, mentalities and temparatments, examines Israel's place in the Middle East from historical, religious and cultural perspectives.