PLT4059

Middle East politics: reform, reaction and reconciliation

Colin Rubenstein

12 points
* 2 hours per week
* Second semester
* Clayton

Objectives On successful completion of this subject, students should be able to understand the historical, regional, ethnic and religious complexities from which contemporary Middle East political realities have emerged; demonstrate an appreciation of the major political cultures, actors, structures and issues in the Middle East and a knowledge of the major theories attempting to explain continuing political instability, conflict and persistent forms of authoritarianism in the region; evaluate the prospects for political reform and democratisation to take root in the major countries in the region; appreciate the reasons for conflict between countries and peoples in the region as well as the preconditions for conflict resolution and reconciliation between them; and show an ability for disciplined and critical scrutiny, at both the theoretical and empirical levels, with regard to the nature of political life, behaviour and values as a result of their research, reading and exploration of Middle East political experiences.

Synopsis This subject focuses on several major themes in contemporary Middle East politics: continuing instability, authoritarianism and limits to constitutionalism; attempts at political modernisation and reform; and evaluation of the prospects of political reconciliation and conflict resolution within and between the major actors in the region.

Assessment Essay (6000 words): 50%
* Examination (3 hours): 50%

Recommended texts

Ajami F The Arab predicament CUP, 1981
Barakat H The Arab world: Society, culture and state U California P, 1993
Esman M and Rabinovich I (eds) Ethnicity, pluralism, and the state in the Middle East Cornell U P, 1988
Esposito J The Islamic threat: Myth or reality OUP, 1992
Freedman L and Karsh E The Gulf conflict 1990-91: Diplomacy and war in the new world order Faber, 1993
Lewis B The shaping of the modern Middle East OUP, 1994
Makiya K Cruelty and silence: War, tyranny, uprising and the Arab world Norton, 1993
Satloff R (ed.) The politics of change in the Middle East Westview, 1993