Date of Award
Summer 8-11-2015
Degree Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Arts (MA)
Department
Political Science
First Advisor
Michael Herb
Second Advisor
Syed Naim
Third Advisor
Peter Lindsay
Fourth Advisor
Abbas Barzegar
Abstract
With the exception of Tunisia, there are no democracies in the Arab world. This paper attempts to the address why that is the case. The paper focuses on some possible answers. Islam, oil, and Western intervention are seen as obstacles to democracy. I argue that another factor is being overlooked. These variables may answer the question, but secular elites are the most serous obstacle to democracy in the Arab world.
I focus on Algeria and Palestine briefly, showing the secular parties response to electoral defeat and the intervention of the West. I also explore Egypt and Tunisia and the secular elites response to Islamist winning elections.
I find that secular elites are an important obstacle to democracy hindrance, but not in all cases.
DOI
https://doi.org/10.57709/7056259
Recommended Citation
Huweih, Mohammad, "Barriers to Democracy in the Arab World." Thesis, Georgia State University, 2015.
doi: https://doi.org/10.57709/7056259