What is the argument for “Arab nationalism”? What factors have worked against political integration in the MENA region? Could you envision a scenario where a supra-national entity like the European Union develops in the MENA region? Why/why not?
Based on this week's reading on food and water scarcity, I'm inclined to suggest that such a model would in theory actually be a good idea for a number of countries in the region. However, I could not identify a realistic path toward achieving such cooperation. I think history tells us the answer most certainly does not lie under a banner of so-called Arab nationalism.
I agree with Glenn that history does not look favorably on uniting under a so-called pan-ethnic banner (thinking back to Nasserism and how this really back-fired in the eyes of many Arabs who did not see personal benefits or gains from the policies). I also think that authoritarian states in theri efforts to maintain hegemony and monopoly on power have worked against any cross-integration in the region. States have been known to manipulate, induce, or otherwise inflame conflicts that exists between classes, tribes, clans, or ethnic groups in order to weaken political opposition and stem the tide of political uprisings. For example, the Mubarak state (which has now carried over into the Sisi state) creates animosities and purposefully ignites tensions between Coptic Christians and Muslims in a kind of "divide-and-conquer" strategy to keep its "enemy" (the Muslim Brotherhood) occupied, fettered and weak, unable to lodge good opposition against the regime. To the extent that this has worked across the board for Colonial powers throughout the region (with the Houthis in Yemen, Arabs and Berbers in the Maghreb region, Alouites in Syria, ect) this has now been replicated to a point where now these animosities between groups are deeply felt and this creates real obstacles to any kind of consolidation of ties and/or cooperation. To me, there are just too many dynamics at play as a result of these types of policies to ever realistically see a supra-nationalist entity come to the forefront and gain any real traction. I know that similar arguments can be made about Europe (and were made in the lead up to the creation of the EU), however, Europe has not witnessed in its recent history the longevity and staying power of truly heavy authoritarian states that have huge apparati with which to suppress, control and otherwise render their populations divided and weak.
Based on this week's reading on food and water scarcity, I'm inclined to suggest that such a model would in theory actually be a good idea for a number of countries in the region. However, I could not identify a realistic path toward achieving such cooperation. I think history tells us the answer most certainly does not lie under a banner of so-called Arab nationalism.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Glenn that history does not look favorably on uniting under a so-called pan-ethnic banner (thinking back to Nasserism and how this really back-fired in the eyes of many Arabs who did not see personal benefits or gains from the policies). I also think that authoritarian states in theri efforts to maintain hegemony and monopoly on power have worked against any cross-integration in the region. States have been known to manipulate, induce, or otherwise inflame conflicts that exists between classes, tribes, clans, or ethnic groups in order to weaken political opposition and stem the tide of political uprisings. For example, the Mubarak state (which has now carried over into the Sisi state) creates animosities and purposefully ignites tensions between Coptic Christians and Muslims in a kind of "divide-and-conquer" strategy to keep its "enemy" (the Muslim Brotherhood) occupied, fettered and weak, unable to lodge good opposition against the regime. To the extent that this has worked across the board for Colonial powers throughout the region (with the Houthis in Yemen, Arabs and Berbers in the Maghreb region, Alouites in Syria, ect) this has now been replicated to a point where now these animosities between groups are deeply felt and this creates real obstacles to any kind of consolidation of ties and/or cooperation. To me, there are just too many dynamics at play as a result of these types of policies to ever realistically see a supra-nationalist entity come to the forefront and gain any real traction. I know that similar arguments can be made about Europe (and were made in the lead up to the creation of the EU), however, Europe has not witnessed in its recent history the longevity and staying power of truly heavy authoritarian states that have huge apparati with which to suppress, control and otherwise render their populations divided and weak.
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