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Book Review

Democratisation in the
Middle East
 

By

Julie Dyer & Michel Tavir

TFF Friends

Anmeldelsen på dansk

March 16, 2006

The book Democratisation in the Middle East, Dilemmas and Perspectives comprises a collection of papers which were originally presented at a Plum Foundation sponsored conference held in Copenhagen in February 2005.  The volume is edited by Birgitte Rahbek, Middle East scholar, author and member of the executive committee of the Plum Foundation.

The purpose of this conference was to provide an independent platform for a discussion of recent developments in the Middle East, particularly with respect to the prospects for and the challenges connected with democratisation in the region.  

The authors represent a broad spectrum of Middle Eastern and European scholars and others with first-hand knowledge of the region and its history.

The contributing authors approach the subject of democratisation from a variety of viewpoints, but are all characterised by their openness toward the concept of a democratic and secular Middle East.

However, many of the contributions question the motives of the United States and Europe in their push for - often superficial - democratic reforms, as well as the purpose and effect of foreign aid programmes. The appropriateness of imposing a US model of government for countries with radically different histories and traditions is also discussed.  A common thread running though the various articles implies that real and lasting change in the direction of a more democratic society must be based on gradual internal reforms and not imposed as a mandate by a foreign power.

However, critical words are not restricted to the West's involvement in the region. Democratic deficiencies and the causes thereof, particularly in Saudi Arabia, Iraq and occupied Palestine are discussed, with several authors taking up the issue of women's rights.

The best of the articles provide an insight into social and historical events that are seldom discussed in the Western media, and allow the reader to place current events in a both broader and deeper perspective.

The contribution by the dissident Samir Aita on the history of democracy in Syria presents a fascinating review of the intricate power structure in that country. British journalist Graham Usher delivers a timely analysis of the Palestinian struggle, and Saudi research fellow Mai Yamani provides a glimpse behind the "game of democracy" played by the Saudi royal family. The last contribution by Jørgen S. Nielsen, newly appointed director for the Danish Institute in Damascus, offers some thought-provoking observations on "Islamophobia" in the West.  

Due to contingencies connected with editing contributions from authors living under extremely difficult situations, a couple of articles went to press in a style which may challenge the casual reader. However, this criticism is insignificant in consideration of the rarity and depth of insight contained in this collection of essays.  

In summary, the book is replete with constructive spirit and contains the sort of acumen sorely needed by most of the decision-makers of our time.  

It is, therefore, warmly recommended.

 

Birgitte Rahbek, editor
Democratisation in the Middle East,
Dilemmas and Perspectives,
Aarhus University Press, 2005
168 pages
EUR 26.95 (incl. 25 % VAT)
ISBN 87 7934 230 2.

More about the book in English here

 

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Boganmeldelse

Democratisation in the
Middle East
 

Af

Julie Dyer & Michel Tavir

TFF Venner

Bogen Democratisation in the Middle East, Dilemmas and Perspectives er en antologi med bidrag fra oplægsholdere på en konference arrangeret af Plumfonden i København i februar 2005. Den er redigeret af Mellemøsteksperten Birgitte Rahbek, der også har skrevet bogens indledning.

Formålet med konferencen var at skabe et forum for først og fremmest repræsentanter fra mellemøsten som her frit kunne debattere de seneste udviklinger i området. Der blev især lagt vægt på udsigterne for en demokratisering i regionen, samt de hermed forbundne udfordringer. Forfatterne dækker et bredt spektrum af mellemøstlige og europæiske eksperter på området.

Bidragyderne griber emnet demokratisering an ud fra en række forskellige synspunkter, men kendetegnes alle ved deres åbenhed over for tanken om en mellemøstlig region, der som udgangspunkt er både demokratisk og sekulær.

Det forhindrer ikke flere af indlæggene i at stille spørgsmål til USA'S og Europas bevæggrunde, når de - som oftest overfladisk - synes at skubbe i retning af demokratiske reformer. De udenlandske hjælpeorganisationers mål og virkninger anfægtes ligeledes, og der debatteres også om det behørige i at forsøge at påtvinge en model for regeringsførelse med udgangspunkt i det nordamerikanske, til lande med vidt forskellige historier, kulturer og traditioner. En fælles forudsætning kan spores i alle indlæggene: det er gradvise, interne reformer, der skal danne fundamentet for ægte og vedvarende ændringer i retning af et mere demokratisk samfund. Ændringerne kan ikke påtvinges i form af en fremmed magts befalinger.

Men de kritiske formuleringer er ikke forbeholdt Vestens indblandning i regionen. Det demokratiske underskud og årsagerne hertil, især i Saudiarabien, Irak og det besatte Palæstina, er også til diskussion, og debatten om kvinderettigheder tages op af flere af forfatterne.

Ved at skabe et indblik i sociale og historiske begivenheder, der sjældent kommer frem i de vestlige medier, sørger de bedste blandt indlæggene for at sætte læseren i stand til at placere nutidens hændelser i et bredere og dybere perspektiv.

Systemkritikeren Samir Aitas bidrag om demokratiets udvikling i Syrien byder på et spændende tilbageblik på landets aldeles indviklede magtspil. Den engelske journalist Graham Usher leverer en yderst aktuel analyse af den palæstinensiske kamp, medens den saudiarabiske forsker Mai Yamanis indlæg løfter sløret for "demokratispillet", i den særlige form det udøves af den saudiske kongelige familie. Det sidste bidrag, ved Jørgen S. Nielsen, nyudnævnt leder af det Danske Institut i Damaskus, udmærker sig ved sine tankevækkende iagttagelser af fænomenet "islamofobi" i Vesten.

Grundet de specielle omstændigheder, der er forbundet med udgivelsen af indlæg fra forfattere, der sommetider lever under meget svære forhold, endte et par af artiklerne med at blive sendt i trykken i en form der gør, at de kræver læserens særlige opmærksomhed.

Vi kan afslutte denne korte anmeldelse med at understrege at Democratisation in the Middle East syder af positiv tænkning, og at den indeholder den form for klarsyn, der er så hårdt tiltrængt hos vor tids beslutningstagere.

Den kan, med andre ord, varmt anbefales.

 

 

Democratisation in the Middle East, Dilemmas and Perspectives
Redigeret af Birgitte Rahbek
Aarhus University Press, 2005
168 sider
DKK 198.- (inkl. 25 % dansk moms)
ISBN 87 7934 230 2.

Mere om bogen her på dansk

 

 

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