Strong Regimes, Weak Opposition: Challenges of Political Reform in the Arab World
Lecture and book signing featuring Dr. Marina Ottaway
Wednesday, September 23, 2009 3:30 PM to 5:30 PM EDT
Student Unition Building, Rooms 3 & 4
Political reform in the Arab world appears to have grounded to a halt after a brief period of change in the early part of the decade. Weak opposition parties have been unable to force strong regimes to give up any of their powers. The only reforms being enacted or even discussed at this time are technocratic ones aiming to make the state more efficient, rather than more democratic. The opposition is in shambles. Secular liberal and leftist parties are no longer viable in many countries. Even Islamist parties, which a few years ago were expecting major electoral victories in many countries, feel they have entered a period of decline. What could revive the prospects for significant political change in Arab countries?
Come hear Dr. Marina Ottaway's discussion and enjoy free pizza!
Dr. Marina Ottaway's Brief Biography
Marina Ottaway is the Director of the Middle East Program at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. She has also written on political reconstruction in Iraq, Afghanistan, the Balkans, and African countries. She is a senior associate in the Democracy and Rule of Law Project, a research endeavor that analyzes the state of democracy around the world. She is the co-author of the brand new book Getting to Pluralism: Political Actors in the Arab World.
Sponsored by The Middle East Studies Program, the Islamic Studies Program, and the Department of Public and International Affairs.
