Understanding the Arab World: Authoritarianism, Rentier States, and Uprisings
Themes of Authoritarianism
Economic Change and State Control
Early modernization theory mistakenly associated authoritarianism with traditional forms of rule. More recent work links authoritarianism to the requirements of economic development in a globalized economy.
Social Diversity and State Control
Focus on the weakness of civil society due to a weak middle class and the strength of communal ties in the absence of strong institutions.
Repressive Institutions: The Fear Agreement
Prevalence of security, military, and police apparatuses, suppressing independent thought and organization.
The Role of Ideology
Developmentalism: suppression of political rights in return for economic growth and welfare.
Neotraditionalism: selective invocation of tradition and cultural elements.
The Arab Family as “Other”
Western stereotypes often portray the Arab family as distinct and alien, characterized by arranged marriages, family honor, clan unity, and female powerlessness. However, the reality is more complex, with variations based on social class and economic circumstances.
Differences in Marriage between Social Classes
Lower Class Families
Women had more say in marriage, engaged in the public sphere due to economic necessity, and experienced less pressure for endogamy.
Upper Class Families
Arranged marriages, seclusion of women, and emphasis on family honor and clan unity were more prevalent.
The Rentier State
Characteristics
Dominant source of income from natural resource rent (e.g., oil). Small portion of the population involved in rent generation. State controls resource wealth and distribution.
Consequences
Concentration of wealth and power in the hands of the elite. Imbalance in work-reward relationship. Limited citizen representation and state accountability. Authoritarian rule and weakened opposition.
Other Sources of Income in Non-Oil States
1. **Oil Pipelines:** Renting pipelines to oil-rich countries.
2. **Labor Remittances:** Citizens working abroad and sending money back home.
State-Led Growth and Contradictions
After colonialism, Arab states pursued state-led growth strategies to catch up with developed countries. However, contradictions arose due to the focus on politics over economics, corruption, and authoritarianism, leading to unfulfilled promises and economic challenges.
Spurious Arguments about the Arab Uprisings
Misleading explanations include the youth bulge, the rise of an educated middle class, Islamic cultural essence, external sources, and social media. The uprisings were driven by a complex set of factors, including lack of avenues for grievances, economic hardship, and a desire for dignity and social justice.
Factors Contributing to the Arab Uprisings
1. **Regime Power and Structure**
2. **Social Diversity and its Exploitation**
3. **State-Society Relations**
4. **Extremist Opposition**
5. **Political Economy and Rentier State Dynamics**
6. **External Relations and Alliances**
Business Networks in Syria
The Syrian regime selectively collaborated with certain business actors, maintaining control and preventing the private sector from gaining political power. Economic liberalization reproduced existing power structures and did not lead to significant changes in policy, corruption, or productivity.
Problematizing “Political Islam” and “Islamic Fundamentalism”
These terms are often used imprecisely and fail to capture the diversity of Islamic movements, ranging from non-violent socio-political groups to militant organizations.
Root Causes of the Rise of Political Islam
1. **Exhaustion of the State and Unfulfilled Promises**
2. **Authoritarianism and Lack of Political Alternatives**
3. **Cold War Politics and Support for Islamists**
4. **Oil Boom and Bust Cycles**
5. **Failure of Secular Nationalism**
6. **Post-1967 Legitimacy Vacuum**
7. **Islam as a Vehicle for Political and Economic Demands**
Problematic US Media Coverage of the Arab World
US media often perpetuated Orientalist stereotypes, overlooking the diversity and agency of Arab societies. The Arab Uprisings challenged these narratives, highlighting the role of secularism, youth movements, and the desire for change.