Arguments for and against Arab nationalism continue to be debated. Much have the date has shifted from does Arab nationalism exist to when did it end. As an idea, it certainly seemed to exist in the early 20th century and peaked around the policies of Nasser in the 1950s. The creation of a unified Egyptian and Syrian state appeared to signify the culmination of these previous ideals. A unified Arab region was growing.
Due to factors such as a common language, some cultural similarities, and a common religion - Islam - some see Arab nationalism as still existent today. However, this fails to recognize many of the distinct differences across MENA. Islam is not merely one unified religion. The branches of Sunni and Shi'a alone signify a sharp divide within the religion, and this does not account for the numerous sects within those as well. There are also marked cultural differences across the Middle East. Using Saudi Arabia, Lebanon, Egypt, and Morocco as only a few examples quickly destroys the idea that there is one unified Arab identity.
Political integration has been difficult for this wide array of countries for a number of reasons. Some of the countries have dealt with so much internal strife, coups, revolutions, etc., they have not had time or space to consider regional alliances. In other cases, due to religious differences (for example the Sunni/Shi'a split), an alliance was out of the question from the beginning. Furthermore, colonial interests and the Cold War divide have forced some Arab states to keep closer ties to their western allies rather than focus on regional alliances.
If there was to be a regional supra-national entity similar to the EU, there would need to be some significant changes in the current Middle Eastern state relations. First, there would need to be stability in multiple countries. As a result of the Arab Spring, many of the MENA states are still searching for internal stability, which a regional alliance needs. Second, regional alliances are built on shared values. To use polarized examples again, Saudi Arabia, Lebanon, and Tunisia do not have a shared understanding of women's rights, worker's rights, or religious freedom rights. Most regional alliances, like the EU, form agreed upon doctrine to govern these rights across multiple states. Finally, there has to be trust in the other government's in the region. Due to instability and lack of shared values, not all states in MENA trust the others. Without at least a basic level of trust, it would be difficult to form an allegiance that would open trade and access borders in the same way the EU has. At this point in time, the most we could hope for in terms of a regional alliance within the next 50 years would be between a limited number of states that could agree on some of these things. For example, (understanding that there would still need to be advances in some of the above listed categories) there could be a MENA version of the EU between Egypt, Lebanon, Jordan, Syria (if it stabilized), and Palestine (if they become a state). But in the short term and with the current geo-political realities, it seems highly unlikely.
Natalie,
ReplyDeleteI thought your point about the different cultures was a very important one so I thought I would expand on it a little. My post on this subject did not mention it and neither did our reading for the week. Lebanon and Saudi Arabia, which you mentioned as examples, have very different cultures when it comes to gender and sex, cuisine, entertainment, lifestyles, and other aspects of cultural identity. As someone who is Lebanese, I actually have more in common with my Greek and Italian friends (a Mediterranean identity, perhaps) than I do with Arabs in the Gulf. Therefore, it doesn’t make sense to group myself under a national Arab identity with the entire region when I identify stronger with people of European and non-Arab heritage. This is just one of many examples of differing cultures across the region that language alone doesn’t overcome.
Also, I agreed with your point about having a smaller regional Levantine nationalism as a possible alliance. I don’t think Egypt on the other hand, especially during the Sisi regime, could be a part of that alliance moving forward because his policies on Palestine and politics with the West and other regional powers. However, as you mentioned in your post, since there is no end to the Syrian Civil War in sight and Palestine is not a recognized state, I don’t see an alliance of this kind happening anytime soon.
Natalie I think you make some very valid points in your interpretation for the chances of a united MENA region. I think we tend to have a very orientalistic view of this area and often lump Islam as one unifying umbrella that could bring the area together, something we know not to be true. Perhaps smaller regional alliances as you suggested are possible but with the current state of the region, I believe this is a long ways off.
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