Middle East Politics

For decades, the Middle East was widely perceived as a bastion of authoritarianism and a hotbed of identity politics and political violence. What has sustained these perspectives and how has the Arab Spring challenged them? This course combines analytical approaches with concrete case studies to provide an overview and critical understanding of regional developments. Students will gain insights on key questions and debates in Middle East politics. Topics include "persistent authoritarianism" in the Middle East, Political Islam, sectarian violence, economic development, and social mobilization. The course is suitable for students with all levels of knowledge on the region.