Democracy and the Middle East. Throughout history, those two meanings were not compatible at all. Authoritarianism, on the other hand, is something that is associated with the Middle East. Since their independence, only two countries have experienced democracy for a more extended period, Israel and Turkey. (only Lebanon had a short period of democratic stability) The democracy index shows that the Middle East is the most authoritarian region with 3.5 points. (www.eiu.com) The euphoria during the Arab Spring was as big as the disappointment and the disillusion afterward. Except for Tunisia, the situation in the Middle East did not change but got even worse. Yet, the question about the middle eastern susceptibility towards authoritarianism remains. Many variables, such as pre-colonial state structures, patriarchy, ethnicities, level of poverty, or the colonial legacy, could answer this question. The following research paper will focus mainly on the variable of foreign influence in the middle east. The Paper's thesis statement is: Authoritarian systems in the Middle East are most likely to persist with a nation's foreign power. This variable gained, especially during the Arab Spring, new attention. The western countries (USA, EU) and Russia interfered, with sanctions, military, monetary or political support for or against the regime, into the Middle Eastern nations' internal struggle.
Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)
- Introduction
- Research Method and Definitions
- Iraq
- Syria
- Conclusion
Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)
This research paper investigates the influence of foreign powers on the persistence of authoritarian systems in the Middle East, focusing on the case studies of Iraq and Syria. The paper examines the role of foreign influence in shaping political outcomes, including the rise and fall of regimes and the impact on democratic transitions.
- Foreign influence in the Middle East
- Authoritarianism and its persistence
- Case studies of Iraq and Syria
- Impact of foreign intervention on political stability
- Obstacles to democratic transition
Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)
- Introduction: This chapter provides an overview of the research question and its significance, highlighting the historical context of authoritarianism in the Middle East and the role of foreign influence. It also outlines the structure of the paper.
- Research Method and Definitions: This chapter defines the concept of foreign influence and outlines the research methodology used in the paper. It clarifies the specific instruments of foreign influence that will be examined, including military, economic, and political interventions.
- Iraq: This chapter analyzes the case of Iraq, focusing on the role of foreign influence in the rise and fall of Saddam Hussein's regime. It examines the support provided by the United States and the United Kingdom during the Iran-Iraq War, the impact of international sanctions following the invasion of Kuwait, and the subsequent influence of Iran in Iraq.
- Syria: This chapter explores the Syrian case, examining the role of foreign powers in the Syrian Civil War and the ongoing political crisis. It will analyze the involvement of various actors, including the United States, Russia, and regional powers, and its impact on the Syrian political landscape.
Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)
The primary keywords and focus topics of this paper include foreign influence, authoritarianism, Middle East, case studies, Iraq, Syria, democratic transition, political stability, international intervention, and regional powers.
- Quote paper
- Hüseyin Ugur Sagkal (Author), 2020, Foreign influence and authoritarianism in the Middle East, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/956849
