The Middle East

“The Middle East (editor Ellen Lust) is the most comprehensive textbook on the Middle East and its diverse countries. . . . It brings the most up-to-date data, thorough analysis, and information by leading scholars to the fingertips of ‘budding scholars’ of the region at our universities. The book is a keeper on our bookshelves for use as a reference material.”

“Written by a group of well-known experts and researchers who have diligently worked and updated the book since its first edition to include the most important features of state, polity, and governance in [the] Middle East and North Africa . . . This book is equally useful for instructors and students.”

“Excellent in-depth look at Middle Eastern history, society, culture, economics, [and] politics.”

“The Saladin of basic Middle Eastern textbooks.”

“I reviewed many texts when developing my course, and I’ve been happy with my choice of Lust’s The Middle East. It is comprehensive in its coverage and balanced in its treatment of disputed or politically sensitive topics.”

“A well-written text accessible to students at the all levels and with varied levels of preparedness for a comparative politics or areas studies course.”

“Written by a group of distinguished academics, the Middle East provides an insightful review of the region’s complex politics from a comparative perspective.”

Ellen Lust is a Professor in the Department of Political Science and the Founder and Director of the Program on Governance and Local Development at the University of Gothenburg. She received her M.A. in Modern Middle East and North African Studies (1993) and PhD in Political Science (1997) from the University of Michigan. She has conducted research and engaged in policy dialogue across the Middle East, including Egypt, Jordan, Libya, Malawi, Morocco, Palestine, Syria, and Tunisia, as well as in Sub-Saharan Africa. She has served as an advisor and consultant to such organizations as the UNDP, UN Democracy Fund, The World Bank, USAID, Carter Center, Freedom House, and NDI. Ellen has authored numerous books and articles, including Structuring Contestation in the Arab World (Cambridge University Press, 2005); Political Participation in the Middle East and North Africa (Lynne Rienner Press, 2008), co-edited with Saloua Zerhouni; Taking to the Streets: Activism and the Arab Uprisings (Johns Hopkins University Press, 2014), co-edited with Lina Khatib and Trust, Voice and Incentives: Learning from Local Successes in Service Delivery in the Middle East and North Africa (Washington, DC: World Bank, 2015) in collaboration with Hana Brixi and Michael Woolcock. Her research has been supported by foundations such as the Moulay Hicham Foundation, National Science Foundation, Social Science Research Council, FORMAS and the Swedish Research Council. (See gld.gu.se for further information.)

Boxes, Figures, Tables, and Maps About the Editor Contributors Foreword - Lina Khatib Preface Part 1: Overview 1. The Making of the Modern Middle East - Michael Gasper The Ottoman and Safavid Empires Changing Contexts The New Middle East States, Nations, and Debates about the Way Forward Al-Naksa and Its Ramifications Conclusion Suggested Readings Notes 2. The Israeli-Palestinian Conlict - Mark Tessler Emergence of the Conflict Consolidation of the Conflict The Arab State Dimension Reemergence of the Palestinian Dimension Israel and Territories The Intifada The Oslo Peace Process New Actors, Continuing Conflict Suggested Readings Notes 3. States and Institutions - Ellen Lust State Weak States in the MENA Region Challenges of State-Building Regime Types Key Institutions Understanding Regime Breakdown and Reform Conclusion Suggested Readings Notes 4. Religion, Society and Politics in the Middle East - Robert Lee, Lihi Ben Shitrit Religious Diversity Religiosity State and Religion Religion and Civil Society Conclusion Suggested Readings Notes 5. Actors, Public Opinion and Participation - Janine Clark Citizen Attitudes in the MENA Formal Avenues of Political Participation Social Movements Informal Political Participation New Channels of Political Participation Conclusion Suggested Readings Notes 6. Social Changes in the Middle East - Valentine Moghadam Introduction Social Change Social Structure Population Growth and Urbanization Labor Force Growth, Employment Challenges, and Income Inequalities Education and Human Development The Family, Family Law, and Sexuality Dynamics of Social Change: Focus on Women's Rights Conclusion Suggested Readings Notes 7. The Political Economy of Development in the Middle East - Melani Cammett, Ishac Diwan Measuring Development in the Middle East The Economic Costs of War and Protracted Conflict Development Paths in the Middle East Development Challenges in the Middle East Conclusion Suggested Readings Notes 8. International Relations - Marc Lynch Conceptualizing the International Relations of the Middle East The Power Structure of Regional Politics Historical Periods Conclusion: Potential Transformative Forces Suggested Readings Notes Part 2: Profiles 9. Algeria - Lahouari Addi History of State Formation Changing Society Institutions and Governance Religion and Politics Protest and Social Conflict International and Regional Politics Conclusion Suggested Readings Notes 10. Egypt - Tarek Masoud History of State Formation Institutions and Governance Parties and Movements Religion and Politics Political Economy Conclusion Suggested Readings Notes 11. Iran - Mehrzad Boroujerdi History of State Formation and Political Change Institutions and Governance Elites, Public Opinion, Parties, and Elections Social Changes and Challenges Religion and Politics Political Economy Conflict International Relations Conclusion Suggested Readings Suggested Websites Notes 12. Iraq - Julia Choucair-Vizoso History of State-Building: The Making of the Contemporary State Social Change Political Regimes and Governance Political Participation Regional and International Relations Domestic Armed Conflict Religion and Politics Political Economy of Development Conclusion Suggested Readings Notes 13. Israel - Lihi Ben Shitrit History of State-Building Religions and Politics Institutions and Governance Political Participation: The Left-Right Spectrum, Political Parties, and Civil Society Political Economy Israel's Regional and International Relations Suggested Readings Notes Conclusion 14. Jordan - Laurie Brand The Making of the Contemporary State Societal Changes and Challenges Religion Ins