POLSCI 369: Politics of the Middle East (C)

This course traces the creation and transformation of Middle Eastern states, focusing on the development of their political systems and on their transition towards democracy. It explores the diversity of Middle Eastern states and analyzes the factors that contribute to the predominance of authoritarian regimes among them. In this respect, it examines the role of ideologies, -in which Islam and nationalism play key roles-, the nature of the party and family politics, the Arab-Israeli conflict and the ways in which economic developments impact political structures. It also focuses on the domestic, regional and international forces pushing for democracy in the region, central among which is the role of civil society and the changing pattern of foreign intervention in the region. The course pays attention to central themes such as modernization, development, democratization, state/society., state/military relations, all of which are key to any course in comparative politics and political development, two core categories in any political science program