The Iron Cage of Liberalism

Within this matrix of scholarly endeavour, Daniel Ritter's book The Iron Cage of Liberalism is an innovative contribution ... Unlike most studies in this area, Ritter has oriented his analysis to the phenomenon of unarmed revolution. * Brian Martin, University of Wollongong, Australia, Journal of Resistance Studies *
In a new, bold analysis, Daniel Ritter theorizes unarmed revolutions by studying foreign policy rather than looking at internal balances of power ... [He] examines three successful cases of unarmed revolutions, Iran in 1979 and Tunisia and Egypt in 2011, then goes on to contrast them with three failed cases, Iran in 2009, and Libya and Syria in the context of the Arab Spring. * Vicken Cheterian, Webster University, Switzerland, International Affairs *
He [Ritter] has put a new thesis on the crowded table of Middle Eastern commentary, which deserves attention. * John Lloyd, The Financial Times, *
In this timely and well written account of civil resistance in the Middle East and North Africa, Ritter sheds light on an important but largely overlooked factor: the international political relationships that make authoritarian regimes vulnerable to domestic unarmed revolutions. More than any other scholar, Ritter reveals how the interactive effects of structure, ideology, and strategic action shape the trajectory of nonviolent uprisings. This is essential reading for anyone interested in civil resistance and revolutions. * Sharon Erickson Nepstad, Professor of Sociology, University of New Mexico, author of Nonviolent Revolutions *
Ritter, one of the two or three most important young scholars of revolutions and related matters, has produced a fiercely intelligent, challenging, and engaging book that fundamentally shifts the ground many of us have been and more everyday seek to explore and explicate. A clever focus on liberalisms iron cage which limits regime responses and enables nonviolence and a salutary reminder that more than we think and perhaps more than ever before, international relations matter, are explored through rich assessments of Iran, Tunisia, and Egypt, with implications and ramifications teased out far and wide, in the context of a theoretically sophisticated framework which will loom large for years to come. This is a voice and perspective to be reckoned with. * Eric Selbin, Lucy King Brown Chair of Political Science, Southwestern University, author of Revolution, Rebellion, Resistance *
In times of national and international conflicts around and about democracy, this rigorous comparative study helps us understand the dynamics and outcomes of civil society struggles and regimes reactions. Focusing on the ways in which international ties can support but also constrain authoritarian regimes, it proposes an innovative explanatory angle. A book scholars of social movements and revolution will learn a lot from. * Donatella della Porta, Director of Centre on Social Movement Studies (COSMOS), European University Institute *
This is the most important study of how international relations shape revolutions in many years. Focusing on nonviolent revolutions in the Middle East and North Africa, Ritter skillfully details how rulers responses to protest were constrained by their international ties. Everyone who wants to understand the fate of modern dictatorships and democratic movements will need to read this book. * Jack Goldstone, Hazel Professor of Public Policy, George Mason University *
While the strategic effectiveness of nonviolent collective action seems to be a shared article of faith for many scholars, the unpleasant truth is that at least as many nonviolent revolutions fail as succeed. How are we to explain this variation? Drawing on his detailed analysis of the revolutions in Iran, Tunisia, and Egypt, Daniel Ritter offers a highly original answer to this question based on what he sees as the unique vulnerability of autocratic regimes with strong ties to Western democracies. An altogether welcome addition to the literatures on revolution and nonviolence. * Doug McAdam, Ray Lyman Wilbur Professor of Sociology, Stanford University *
Meticulously researched and compellingly presented, Daniel Ritters The Iron Cage of Liberalism will be studied for a long time to come because it asks two very important questions: why have we witnessed an upsurge of unarmed revolutionary attempts, and what explains the success of some of them? Its lessons may prove surprisingly relevant to real world outcomes. * John Foran, Professor of Sociology, UC Santa Barbara *
Ritter's book succinctly pulls historical threads together and gives welcome attention to important questions of global and local agency, including the influence of actors and ideas, in the changing Middle East. * Mobilization *
The book presents a compelling argument regarding the emergence of non-violent revolutions. Overall, this is a comprehensive and wellwritten study. It will be of interest to area specialists as well as those in the fields of revolutions and civil resistance. There is also scope for future work to test and build on the ICL theory in other regions to determine its broader applicability. * Thomas O'Brien, Cranfield University at the Defence Academy of the United Kingdom. *
An exemplar of the comparative historical-analysis method...an interesting, thought-provoking thesis, which contributes positively to a crucial debate about the role of foreign powers in the Arab uprisings. * Matt Buehler, University of Tennessee, Perspective on Politics *
A compelling argument regarding the emergence of non-violent revolutions. * Thomas O'Brien, Cranfield University at the Defence Academy of the United Kingdom, Political Studies Review *
A provocative contribution to the scholarly study of the international dimensions of unarmed revolutions and the breakdown of authoritarianism. * May Darwich, Durham University, Mediterranean Politics *