Dec
12
Uneasy lies the head that wears a crown
December 12, 2023 | Leave a Comment
Monarchical rule in the region of MENA while having survived a long period of time has faced its array of challenges and its leaders tend to face a number of issues while in power. Russell E. Lucas, in “MONARCHICAL AUTHORITARIANISM: SURVIVAL AND POLITICAL LIBERALIZATION IN A MIDDLE EASTERN REGIME TYPE”, distinguishes between authoritarianism and sultanism, […]
Dec
11
Reflecting on MENA
December 11, 2023 | Leave a Comment
Studying MENA requires a unique perspective given its vast history, culture and complex regime types. Whether it’s the various struggles these regions face on their journey towards democratization or the continued authoritarian regimes and their strength in the region, it’s vital to give each of these tools equal importance in order to fully understand why […]
Oct
7
A Siege of Salt and Sand
October 7, 2023 | 2 Comments
Climate change has left a lasting impact on environments across the world. The film A Siege of Salt and Sand, primarily focuses on the struggles Tunisia has faced as a result of the ongoing climate crisis. Tunisia’s been facing rising sea levels, decreases in fish to catch, and growing desert. With the transition of government from a […]
Sep
26
Rentierism
September 26, 2023 | Leave a Comment
While the unusual sizing of oil rents are a factor in the damaging political and social outcomes of MENA, factors such as variation in regional population sizes and the effects of repression have vast negative impacts on the political and social sectors of this region. The relationship between Population sizes and oil rents create a […]
Sep
4
Lisa Anderson Reflection
September 4, 2023 | 1 Comment
Lisa Anderson’s 2006 article highlights prominent issues which have led regions across the Middle East and North Africa to struggle in democratizing. Anderson argues that answering why such phenomena occurs stems from democratization being an “American disciplinary and policy preoccupation, not from regional political dynamics.”. Therefore, major political forces have been neglected by political scientists […]