Arab States Only Give Appearance Of Change

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	• Beyond the Façade: Political Reform in the Arab World Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, 2008 - 295 pages average customer review:based on 1 review view larger image
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Arab States Only Give Appearance Of Change

A superb review of political reform (or lack thereof) in ten nations in the Arab world - Algeria, Egypt, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Morocco, Palestine, Saudi Arabia, Syria, and Yemen. Significantly, chapters are written by specialists in that region, not idealists. Most of these governments admit change is necessary, but do not want to surrender power. Most change toward democratization has been cosmetic - hence the title "Beyond The Facade." The regimes may appear to promote change but that's for the benefit of the outsiders pushing them. In reality, these Arab regime leaders use various subversions to make sure real control is maintained in the status quo.

The authors are subdued in their enthusiasm for change coming from outsiders and recognize the limitations of the US, despite whatever leverage we may have (or think we have). The Bush administration's actions have clearly shown the downside of forceful regime change. Nevertheless, the authors give us four basic policy recommendations:

1. Foreign powers should focus on encouraging these countries to protect political freedoms and civil liberties.
2. Islamists must be included in the political process. To make any efforts to circumvent them is folly.
3. The United States must make any aid, trade, and security agreements contingent on improvement in political and civil liberties.
4. The United States must revise its desire for instant gratification. The last hundred years should have told us democratization does not happen overnight.

Hopefully, the US will begin to recognize that democratization is best encouraged by international efforts based on diplomacy, economic pressure, keeping the lines of communication open, and patience.

For information that contains all the nuances that George Bush doesn't do, this is the right book. Had George read a book such as this, I doubt he would have invaded Iraq - but this is apparently not the sort of book George would have read.

DB

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Reform is a politically charged issue in the Middle East. Governments admit change is necessary, but do not want to surrender power. Opposition groups want democracy but cannot generate sufficient momentum. The Bush administration's "freedom agenda" has brought the issue into focus but blurred the distinction between democracy promotion and forceful regime change.

Some governments have taken steps toward political reform. Are these meaningful changes or empty attempts to pacify domestic and international public opinion? How do we distinguish reforms that alter the character of the political system from those that are only window dressing?

Beyond the FaÃ§ade: Political Reform in the Arab World evaluates the changes that are taking place in the region and explores the potential for further reform. The essays provide careful, detailed examinations of ten countries (Algeria, Egypt, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Morocco, Palestine, Saudi Arabia, Syria, and Yemen), highlighting the diversity of processes and problems. Beyond the FaÃ§ade forces us to recognize the reality of conflicting interests and the limitations of external actors to bring about political reform, while drawing lessons on how to make international democracy promotion more effective.

Contributors include Nathan Brown (George Washington University), Michele Dunne (Carnegie Endowment for International Peace), Amr Hamzawy (Carnegie Endowment for International Peace), Ellen Lust-Okar (Yale University), Sarah Phillips (National Democratic Institute,Yemen), Meredith Riley (Chinese University of Hong Kong), Hugh Roberts (freelance writer and consultant), and Paul Salem (Carnegie Middle East Center).

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