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Democracy in the Middle East: An Indigenous Assessment

Tragic developments in the Middle East remind us again and again of the utter failure of Western states to establish democracy in Muslim majority countries. Since the outset of the 'war on terror', the investment of trillions of dollars in this troubled region, aiming to foment and foster liberal values, have only resulted in creating a quagmire of diplomatic gridlock and political bankruptcy. The question still looms large: Why has democracy failed so miserably in the Middle East?This book is an unabridged reproduction of a thesis which was completed in 2016 for the Eastern Mediterranean University Political Science Department in fulfillment of a Master's degree in International Relations, yet its content is as relevant today as ever. The author, Jerry Mattix, who has lived in the Middle East for over 20 years, interviewed a representative sample of 16 students from across the Middle East asking them five critical questions related to democracy. These include:1. Do you agree with the notion that democracy has failed in the Middle East?2. In your opinion how do Middle Easterners in general perceive democracy?3. What do you think are the main reasons democracy has struggled in the Middle East?4. Do you think liberal democracy could become a reality in the Middle East?5. What are the most important things the West needs to understand about the Middle East in order to help them?The answers given by the participants of this project reflect the variety of their different experiences growing up in the Middle East, but they also key in on some of the fundamental misunderstandings regarding democracy as well as important reasons why it has failed to take root and flourish in the region. If the West ever hopes to encourage the Middle East toward some form of democracy, genuinely listening to the people of the region and taking stock of their cultural and religious background is essential.Read more

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