This book investigates the power of civil society in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA), in the context of the post-Arab Spring era, as well as more long-standing challenges and constraints in the region. In recent years, local civil society actors have faced significant challenges from social conservatism, conflict, violence, and the absence of democracy and exclusive political systems. Over the course of the book, the authors investigate how the sector has succeeded in achieving its own objectives despite these shifting conditions, the restrictive political environment and the complexity of the socio-cultural and economic context.

Structured around the three themes of peace-building, development, and change, the book also addresses challenges faced by civil society organizations linked to ethnic, linguistic, and cultural diversities as well as religious salient differences that are crucial markers of social and political identity. Case studies are drawn from the Palestinian Occupied Territories, Jordan, Iran, Nigeria, Niger, Egypt, and Morocco, and particular effort has been made to showcase original research from contributors who are from the region .

This book will be of particular interest to researchers working on development, peace-building, conflict resolution, civil society, and politics within the MENA region.

About the Author

Ibrahim Natil is a Lecturer in Politics and Business at the Centre for Talented Youth Ireland (CTYI) and a Research Fellow at the Institute of International Conflict Resolution and Reconstruction (IICRR), Dublin City University, Ireland.

Chiara Pierobon is a Postdoctoral Fellow and Lecturer at Bielefeld University, Germany and Associate Researcher at the St. Petersburg/Bielefeld Center for German and European Studies (CGES/ZDES).

Lilian Tauber is a PhD candidate and Teaching Assistant at Durham University, UK

Reviews

"This book addresses a major gap in the literature by focussing on the role and power of civil society in the Middle East from a multi-touch perspective with excellent contributions from a wide range of backgrounds." - Alp Ozerdem, Associate Pro-Vice-Chancellor Research, Coventry University, UK

"The multiple forms of civil society activism across the Middle East and North Africa tell us a story of resistance and hunger for change on the part of significant sectors of society and this book brilliantly captures this dynamism." - Francesco Cavatorta, Department of Political Science, Universite Laval, Canada

"At a time of tumult in much of the Middle East and North Africa this thoroughly and expertly researched book guides us through the positive role which vibrant civil societies in the region can and are playing. This is essential reading for students and others interested in the region's development." - Padraig Carmody, Head of Geography, Trinity College Dublin and Chairperson, Development Studies Association, Ireland

"This book makes an important contribution to the literature on civil society. It is a testimony to the multiple forms this can take and the diversity of civil society experience across this region." - Susannah Pickering-Saqqa, Senior Lecturer in International Development and NGO Management, University of East London, UK

Book Information
ISBN 9780367728755
Author Ibrahim Natil
Format Paperback
Page Count 178
Imprint Routledge
Publisher Taylor & Francis Ltd
Weight(grams) 350g