Springer Arab MENA Countries: Vulnerabilities and Constraints Against Democracy on the Eve of the Global COVID-19 Crisis (Perspectives on Development in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) Region)

This book offers readers critical insights into a region in crisis and explores different facets of the crisis from governance to gender to the politics of identity, the challenge of the environment and the enduring impact of demographic variables and technological change. Whilst exploring the nature of the crises, the book also explores how policy-makers have responded to these and what other alternatives there are in overcoming challenges posed.   Whilst the focus is on the Middle East North Africa region as a whole, the authors are well aware of the unique characteristics of individual countries. Hence the book examines regional trends whilst also being conscious of the national specificities of each country. In combining the general with the particular, the book approaches its subject matter from both a quantitative and a qualitative perspective allowing one to understand regional trends and country specific peculiarities. Review “This sophisticated transdisciplinary study combines qualitative and quantitative methods to offer a cutting-edge assessment of the current impact of three macro-dynamics―globalization, democratization, and development―on the Middle East North African (MENA) region. This is essential reading for both area specialists and social science generalists seeking to understand the latest sociopolitical and economic trends affecting the region and the world.” (Manfred B Steger, Professor of Sociology, University of Hawaii and Global Professorial Fellow, Western Sydney University) “The Middle East and North Africa can be considered as a case study of the so-called multipolar world. Uncovering an unpleasant truth about this region, Solomon and Tausch indirectly convince us that the project of multipolar world is theoretically inconsistent and practically dangerous anti-utopia”. (Victor Krasilschikov, Chief Research Fellow, the Institute of Scientific Information in Social Sciences, Russian Academy of Sciences) “Arab MENA countries: Vulnerabilities and constraints against democracy on the eve of the global Covid-19 crisis is for two reasons of critical importance.  Firstly, the existing body of knowledge on conflict, violence and war in Africa and its interconnectedness with conflict in the Middle East does not provide a complete and comprehensive picture of the totality of the phenomenon.  Secondly, countries in the Middle East and North Africa share a unique set of security challenges that necessitates an integrated and inclusive approach.  Hussein Solomon and Arno Tausch bring their unique expertise of African and Middle East security together in a detailed security analysis of this critical region in a highly recommendable publication.” (Abel Esterhuyse, Professor and Head of Department of Military Strategy, Stellenbosch University) “A must-read research about the Middle East and North Africa. The critical and empirical approach deserves to be praised since it prevents the research from falling into the pitfalls of ideological dogmas and religious fanaticism. Hussein Solomon and Arno Tausch are to be congratulated on such an excellent job!” (Jacques Neriah, Late Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin’s Foreign Policy Adviser and Editor of Jewish Political Studies Review) “Hussein Solomon and Arno Tausch make a valuable and critical contribution to our understanding of the recent economic developments in the Middle East and North African region and its impact on the region’s societies, cultures and religion. They also discuss the threat of the impending COVID-19 pandemic in the region, a global event that has changed our world.” (Prof Corli Wittuhn, Vice-Rector: Research, University of the Free State, South Africa) “Solomon and Tausch have produced a valuable contribution to the literature. Prospects for development in the MENA region are set in the context of a balanced appreciation of the different effects of globalisation, political culture, governance and Islam in different