Politics and Change in the Middle East

Description

Features

How do you make sure your students receive a broad and integrated introduction to the politics of the Middle East?

An integrated, multidisciplinary approach (political science, economics, history, anthropology) to explain the current political dynamics of the region-Provides a concise treatment of a complex and historically lengthy topic that demonstrates for students the connection of past to present and ensures that they receive broad, holistic coverage of the subject.

A thematic approach. Avoids a country-by-country approach in favor of a thematic approach that integrates regional experiences into a whole.  Major themes include political development, economic development, international relations, Islam - mainstream and jihadist, colonialism and post-colonialism; and recent political changes, with particular emphasis on the U.S. intervention  in Iraq and the rising interest in democracy regionally. This solves the intelletual problem of how to approach the region in an analysis that is at once comprehensive and at the same time does not underestimate the intelligence of the college audience.

No disciplinary jargon-Utilizes Arabic words and phrases when necessary, with near to complete English translations whenever possible. This gives students a complete primer, with a comprehensive glossary explaining these terms.

Up-to-date coverage of the contemporary Arab-Israeli conflict-Includes an analysis of the Palestinian and Israeli elections and the resulting impact on the peace process. This offers students a balanced, straightforward argument on a difficult subject-sympathetic to both Arab and Israeli ambitions and concerns.

Historical background chapters. These introduce students to basic and necessary concepts and place social and political structures into historical context.

A focus on Islam-Views Islam as an important religious, political, and social force in the region. This provides students with the background they need to understand current problems and to offset Western biases about Islam.

New to this Edition

Many recent events covered in this new edition. To name just a few of the events that motivated this revision, the authors point to the U.S. invasion, occupation, attempts at democratization, and the grudging admission that Iraq had descended into civil war, sectarian violence and a failing state; the sudden reversal of policy by Israel under Prime Minister Ariel Sharon, abandoning unilaterally its settlements and responsibilities in Gaza; and the attempt by Sharon's successor, Ehud Olmert, to suppress Palestinian unrest in Gaza and the West Bank; near civil war between Hamas and Fatah and the abrogation of the unity government by President Mahmoud Abbas; and Israel's related effort to dislodge Hizbollah from Lebanon's southern border; a surprising series of elections that brought new leadership and new problems to Iran, Lebanon, Palestine, and Israel; border conflicts and related problems between Iraq and Iran, Iraq and Syria, Iraq and Turkey; Israel and Lebanon; an oil demand “crisis” that took the price of crude oil to well over sixty-five dollars a barrel; Iran's apparent renewed effort to develop its nuclear capabilities; the resurgence of the Taliban in Afghanistan; and the continued U.S. reliance on essentially unilateral foreign policy, a development that continues to pose problems of resentment from friend and enemy alike.

Updated to incorporate the many fast and furious changes in the region, necessitating periodic review of the facts, figures, and events that constitute the "meat" of the text. 

Concluding chapter, International Politics in the Twenty-first Century, incorporates the aftermath of the 9/11 attacks on the World Trade Center into a broader treatment of the changing international order. In particular, it includes more explicit reference to the globalization process and what it seems to imply for the study of the behavior of individuals and nations. The very notion of area studies is sprinkled through the last half of the text. Most significantly, the book continues to be predicated on the value of using a multidisciplinary approach within a conflict and accommodation format.

Table of Contents

Author

Roy R. Andersen is Charles W. and Arvilla S. Timme Professor of Economics at Knox College.

Robert F. Seibert is Robert W. Murphy Professor of Political Science, chair of Integrated International Studies, and co-chair of the Global Studies Center at Knox College.

Jon Wagner is Professor of Anthropology at Knox College.