Authoritarianism

The control of government and political society by an individual or cadre of individuals. The press, open and fair  elections, demonstrations severely curtailed.

In the Middle East Authoritarian regimes utilize the law as a method of suspending legal rights

Emergency Law

Before the Arab spring Emergency laws were continuously active for Egypt and Syria

The suspension of civil rights, justification for judicial proceedings that do not follow constitution protocol, censorship of the press and cultural output. Usually enacted due to a perceived 'threat'

The impact of Authoritarian regimes on international relations

• Authoritarian rulers are primary decision makers but...
  • Authoritarian rulers must also walk a fine line in pursuing  their policy objectives
    • popular sentiments
    • personal desires 
    • transnational ties 
• Rulers are also influenced by the factors of state formation
  • what ideology was used in the founding of the state?

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What do we get with authoritarianism?

A council for young women without women

Housing that does not address housing needs

Saad Ibrahim

sentenced to 7 years in prison

Hamza Ali Khateeb killed by Syrian Security forces

• However, Alawites dispportionately in control over government
• Government utilizes law and institutions to centralize political power.
• Sectarianism a threat to Assad's power
  • government produced a new constitution opening up the presidency to any sect.
  • Assad gets a Shi'a cleric to confirm that Alewites are Muslims.

• From 1963-2011 Syria under Emergency Law

Life under Al Assad

• cracked down on Islamic opposition movements​
  • Eid al-Adha massacre
  • 1980, Tadmoor Prison massacre
  • 1982, Hama massacre

Routine torture continued under Bashar al-Assad. 

Under Al-Assad

• Thriving secret police force engages in repression of political opponents.

Authoritarianism in the Middle East

• there is no innate incompatibility between Arab countries and democracy.
• There is a history of popular demonstration against leaders seen as neglectful.
• There is also history of 'silent' change.
• The Arab world has also had persistent authoritarian regimes due to the sustained support of outside powers.
  • a preference for stability
  • concern for Israel
  • geopolitical and economic interest
• Rentier states don't necessarily need approval of state action from citizens

Democracy

Some beliefs...

1. Real democracy looks the same everywhere.

2. Democracy is the solution of repression and human rights abuses.

3. Democracies are found where elections are present

Democracy promotion in the region

• Early 1990s was to supposed to witness a democratic wave
  • End of the Cold War
  • a partial turn toward neoliberal economic principles
• Neoliberalism: An Economic and Political world view
  • democracy and free trade will lead to a reduction in conflict
  • Emphasis on interdependence

Rulers have used the language and practices of Modernity to combat democratic reforms

Authoritarian Regimes demonstrate remarkable adaptability

Sisi on Democracy

Authoritarian Regimes compliant with neoliberal economic demands...most of the time

Washington Consensus

a list of reforms that have been heavily exported to countries requesting economic loans from global monetary institutions

1. Property Rights

2. Deregulation

3. Tax Reform

4. Competitive exchange rate

5. privatization

6. Liberalization of interest rates

7. fiscal discipline

8. Liberalization of foreign direct Investment

9. trade liberalization

10. Reordering public expenditures

Funding for Authoritarian rulers detaches them from responding to indigenous democratic movements

6.5 Billion in military assistance from U.S. to Egypt between 2011 and 2015 (al-Monitor)

Foreign Economic Aid to the Middle East from the U.S. during 2014: 5.9 bill. (CNN)

Bahrain 2012

The Islands of Sanafir and Tiran, given to Saudi Arabia .

Saudi Arabia has given Sisi 4 billion in aid in 2015.

Iraq, Kuwait, Qatar, Libya, UAE, Saudi Arabia, Iran are the largest oil producers within the region.

Rents: Income accrued from the payment for resources that allow governments to pay the cost of state

1. With Rents, states less prone to worry about productivity and efficiency

2. Large rents, make it easier for gov't leaders to ignore calls for more open government

Funding and Oil

Historic trends in the price of oil

July 2008, the price of oil was $147.27

1. Informality

Because government is unsure of its population--where they live, where they work--they are unable to effectively control or tax them

2. Limited Resources

Oil is not an unlimited resource. 

3. Persistent economic discontent

The gap between the rich and the poor is growing wider in the region. Along with the diminishment of the middle class, government elites have turned to promoting modern and costly societal transformation that actively excludes middle and working class.

Enduring threats to Authoritarian states