 | The Routledge Handbook to the Middle East and North African State and States System Subjects: Area Studies; Politics & International Relations; Introductory Politics; Military & Strategic Studies; African Studies; Middle East Studies; Government; International Relations; Political Behavior and Participation; North Africa; African Politics; African Military and Security Studies; Middle East Geography; Middle East History; Middle East Politics; Middle East Society; Security Studies - Military & Strategic; Political Leaders; Protest Movements; Revolution - Government; Foreign Policy; Global Governance; International Organizations; Migration & Diaspora; Regionalism; Social Movements; Racial & Ethnic Politics; Religion & Politics; Conflict and instability are built into the very fabric of the Middle East and North African (MENA) state and states system; yet both states and states system have displayed remarkable resilience. How can we explain this? This handbook explores the main debates, theoretical approaches and accumulated empirical research by prominent scholars in the field, providing an essential context for scholars pursuing research on the MENA state and states system. Contributions are grouped into four key themes: * Historical contexts, state-building and politics in MENA * State actors, societal context and popular activism * Trans-state politics: the political economy and identity contexts * The international politics of MENA The 26 chapters examine the evolution of the state and states system, before and after independence, and take the 2011 Arab uprisings as a pivotal moment that intensified trends already embedded in the system, exposing the deep features of state and system--specifically their built-in vulnerability and their ability to survive. This handbook provides comprehensive coverage of the history and role of the state in the MENA region. It offers a key resource for all researchers and students interested in international relations and the Middle East and North Africa. Raymond Hinnebusch is Professor of International Relations and Middle East Politics at the University of St. Andrews. Jasmine K. Gani is a Senior Lecturer in International Relations at the University of St. Andrews. |
