"Carapico is most convincing in calling for an expanded understanding of Arab civil society. Her evidence about the myriad ways Yemeni citizens have participated in political life, tried to shape their communities, and improved their economic circumstances is difficult to refute and makes for a fascinating read. This book forces us to think about Arab civil society in a new way...the originiality and relevance of Carapico's thesis about civil society and the vast amount of theoretical, historical, economic, and political ground she covers ensures it is indeed path-breaking." Middle East Insight

• List of tables; Preface and acknowledgements; Note on transliteration and terminology; List of abbreviations; Map; 1. Civil society in comparative perspective; 2. Twentieth-century states and economies; 3. Islam, tribes and social services; 4. Colonialism, activism and resistance; 5. Self-help, social capital and state power; 6. Unity, pluralism and political participation; 7. Civic responses to political crisis; 8. Political movements, cultural trends and civic potential; Endnotes; Glossary; Bibliography; Index.

"Carapico is most convincing in calling for an expanded understanding of Arab civil society. Her evidence about the myriad ways Yemeni citizens have participated in political life, tried to shape their communities, and improved their economic circumstances is difficult to refute and makes for a fascinating read. This book forces us to think about Arab civil society in a new way...the originiality and relevance of Carapico's thesis about civil society and the vast amount of theoretical, historical, economic, and political ground she covers ensures it is indeed path-breaking." Middle East Insight

• List of tables; Preface and acknowledgements; Note on transliteration and terminology; List of abbreviations; Map; 1. Civil society in comparative perspective; 2. Twentieth-century states and economies; 3. Islam, tribes and social services; 4. Colonialism, activism and resistance; 5. Self-help, social capital and state power; 6. Unity, pluralism and political participation; 7. Civic responses to political crisis; 8. Political movements, cultural trends and civic potential; Endnotes; Glossary; Bibliography; Index.

"Carapico is most convincing in calling for an expanded understanding of Arab civil society. Her evidence about the myriad ways Yemeni citizens have participated in political life, tried to shape their communities, and improved their economic circumstances is difficult to refute and makes for a fascinating read. This book forces us to think about Arab civil society in a new way...the originiality and relevance of Carapico's thesis about civil society and the vast amount of theoretical, historical, economic, and political ground she covers ensures it is indeed path-breaking." Middle East Insight

• List of tables; Preface and acknowledgements; Note on transliteration and terminology; List of abbreviations; Map; 1. Civil society in comparative perspective; 2. Twentieth-century states and economies; 3. Islam, tribes and social services; 4. Colonialism, activism and resistance; 5. Self-help, social capital and state power; 6. Unity, pluralism and political participation; 7. Civic responses to political crisis; 8. Political movements, cultural trends and civic potential; Endnotes; Glossary; Bibliography; Index.