The Decline of Nation-States after the Arab Spring

Imad Salamey has written a thoughtful and thought-provoking book. Much has been written on the consequences and directions of the Arab Spring since 2011. Salamey offers new and original interpretations, seeing the 2011 uprisings as part of longer-term processes of globalization that first strengthened and then unleashed communitarian forces across the Middle East. Regardless of whether or not one agrees with Salamey’s conclusions, his examination of the forces leading to and consequences arising from the Arab Spring is essential to a better understanding of the contemporary Middle East. I strongly recommend the book.

Mehran Kamrava, Georgetown University, Qatar

This book provides an outstanding analysis of the decline of state power in the Middle East and North Africa and the emergence of religious and linguistic communities as the dominant players in the region. It makes a persuasive case for this new communitarianism to take the integrative form of peaceful power-sharing. I can give my strong recommendation for this thoughtful and provocative work.

Arend Lijphart, Research Professor Emeritus of Political Science, University of California, USA

Salamey provides clarity and insight into a complicated and dynamic region of the world. His book is highly relevant and timely to what has been unraveling in the MENA region since the collapse of the Cold War. Salamey challenges Western dominated perceptions and narratives, and pushes back against major IR theories that have focused on MENA exceptionalism. He argues that the events in the region are best explained by looking at how globalization has changed the per-requisites for state survival in the 21st century. In particular, how the traditional functions of the state have been transferred to decentralized local communities with globalized networks and interconnectedness, which in turn has led to the communitocratization of Arab politics. Salamey’s book is a must for academics, policymakers, and students interested in a more nuanced, non-traditional interpretation of political dynamics in the MENA.

Faten Ghosn, Associate Professor, International Relations at the University of Arizona, USA

Imad Salamey has written a thoughtful and thought-provoking book. Much has been written on the consequences and directions of the Arab Spring since 2011. Salamey offers new and original interpretations, seeing the 2011 uprisings as part of longer-term processes of globalization that first strengthened and then unleashed communitarian forces across the Middle East. Regardless of whether or not one agrees with Salamey’s conclusions, his examination of the forces leading to and consequences arising from the Arab Spring is essential to a better understanding of the contemporary Middle East. I strongly recommend the book.

Mehran Kamrava, Georgetown University, Qatar

This book provides an outstanding analysis of the decline of state power in the Middle East and North Africa and the emergence of religious and linguistic communities as the dominant players in the region. It makes a persuasive case for this new communitarianism to take the integrative form of peaceful power-sharing. I can give my strong recommendation for this thoughtful and provocative work.

Arend Lijphart, Research Professor Emeritus of Political Science, University of California, USA

Salamey provides clarity and insight into a complicated and dynamic region of the world. His book is highly relevant and timely to what has been unraveling in the MENA region since the collapse of the Cold War. Salamey challenges Western dominated perceptions and narratives, and pushes back against major IR theories that have focused on MENA exceptionalism. He argues that the events in the region are best explained by looking at how globalization has changed the per-requisites for state survival in the 21st century. In particular, how the traditional functions of the state have been transferred to decentralized local communities with globalized networks and interconnectedness, which in turn has led to the communitocratization of Arab politics. Salamey’s book is a must for academics, policymakers, and students interested in a more nuanced, non-traditional interpretation of political dynamics in the MENA.

Faten Ghosn, Associate Professor, International Relations at the University of Arizona, USA