Course:GINS 4090 Section C Democracy in the Middle East Term:Fall 2021 Class:Wednesdays 14:35–17:25 Zoom: Meeting ID: 860 1689 7074 Instructor:Michael Petrou Office Hours:By appointment Telephone:617-955-0364 Email:[email protected] Course Description: “Man’s natural propensities are such thatunrestricted authority for kings brings about some kind of oppression.” –Kahyr al-Din al-Tunisi, 1867 “Ours is a difficult struggle; it could even be a long one.” –Akbar Ganji, 2006. The struggle for greater political freedom in the Middle East was already a long one when Iranian dissident Akbar Ganji wrote the above words. The years since have given the region’s democrats reason for fresh hope and disappointment. In 2020, as in past years, the NGO Freedom House’s annual ranking of countries in the world based on civil liberties and political rights judged almost the entire Middle East to be “Not Free.” Only Israel and Tunisia achieved a fully “Free” ranking, and a handfulof other nations were considered “Partially Free.” What’s gone wrong? Where have there been successes? What might lead to more political freedom in the region? This class will try to answer these questions. We will explore how democracies emerge and persist. We will examine how some Middle Eastern scholars and theologians have thought about political freedom and religion. And we will probe theories about why the expansion of political freedoms may have been frustrated in the Middle East— including colonialism, sectarianism, culture, Islam and foreign interference. We will try to understand where democracy in the region is headed and factors that may influence its future. Special attention will be paid to the Arab Spring and its aftermath. Course Prerequisites:
Fourth year honours standing in BGInS. Course Format: Each class will generally consist of three elements. I will lecture and lead a discussion on the topics and themes of the class. We will then discuss the specific assigned readings. Each student must post a discussion question by noon the day before each class. These questions will demonstrate that you have done the required readings and will be used to stimulate discussion during class. The third element of the class will consist of an exploration of primary sources or of additional readings. Students will be asked, individually or in groups, to analyze a source and then present it to the class. We will also screen documentary films and welcome guest speakers. Please note that active participation from all students is expected and is necessary to do well in this course. Learning Objectives: Students who successfully complete this course will: -understand and be able to critique some of the major theories concerning democratic development and retention -learn about some of the ideas regarding governance reform articulated by Middle East thinkers during the 19thand early 20th centuries -explore aspects of recent Middle East history that have affected governance in the region, including colonialism and nationalism -understand and be able to critique some theories explaining the generally low level of political freedom and democracy in the Middle East -learn about the Arab Spring, about similar unrest in Iran, and the potential impact of both Texts: There is no text that must be purchased. Readings will be accessible online, at the library as an
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