Elections and democratization in the Middle East : the tenacious search for freedom, justice, and dignity

Top scholars of the Middle East set out the history and future of elections in eight Middle East countries. Examining issues associated with elections, the transition of governance, and the ways in which technology shapes popular participation in politics and elections, they discuss the future of governance and democratic transition in the region. For decades, elections in many parts of the Middle East were a forgone conclusion. They came and went with little fanfare as many knew that results were predetermined in the offices and corners of state security buildings in Cairo, Damascus, Tehran, and Tunisia. No wonder that most citizens did not care to participate or take part in such theatrical displays. The Arab uprisings that toppled entrenched autocrats have changed this. Voters flocked to the polls to cast their votes and choose their rulers. This book explores the dynamics of elections in the Middle East and their impact on democratization processes. It combines overview chapters with individual studies of Tunisia, Egypt, Libya, Morocco, Yemen, Iraq, Iran, and Turkey Front Matter....Pages i-vii Introduction: Democratic Beauty and Electoral Ugliness in the Middle East....Pages 1-8 Tunisia Between Democratization and Institutionalizing Uncertainty....Pages 9-34 Egypt: Transition in the Midst of Revolution....Pages 35-66 Libya: Legacy of Dictatorship and the Long Path to Democracy....Pages 67-87 Morocco’s “spring”: The Monarchical Advantage and Electoral Futility....Pages 89-107 Elections and Transition in Yemen....Pages 109-132 Iraq: Democracy and Electoral Politics in Post-Saddam Era....Pages 133-152 Elections and Authoritarianism in the Islamic Republic of Iran....Pages 153-178 Elections and Regime Change in Turkey: Tenacious Rise of Political Islam....Pages 179-202 Elections and Beyond: Democratization, Democratic Consolidation, or What?....Pages 203-221 Back Matter....Pages 223-245 Cover 1 Contents 6 List of Figures and Tables 8 1 Introduction: Democratic Beauty and Electoral Ugliness in the Middle East 9 2 Tunisia between Democratization and Institutionalizing Uncertainty 17 3 Egypt: Transition in the Midst of Revolution 43 4 Libya: Legacy of Dictatorship and the Long Path to Democracy 75 5 Morocco’s “spring”: The Monarchical Advantage and Electoral Futility 96 6 Elections and Transition in Yemen 115 7 Iraq: Democracy and Electoral Politics in Post-Saddam Era 139 8 Elections and Authoritarianism in the Islamic Republic of Iran 159 9 Elections and Regime Change in Turkey: Tenacious Rise of Political Islam 185 10 Elections and Beyond: Democratization, Democratic Consolidation, or What? 209 About the Authors 228 References 231 Index 243 "In a region torn between mass uprisings and military repression, how and under what conditions do elections advance popular sovereignty? Further, how does recent voting in the Arab world compare with electoral competition in the non-Arab states of Turkey and Iran? Lucidly written, Elections and Democratization in the Middle East answers these questions and more. It provides a tour d'horizo n of the contemporary political landscape and will energize the debate over the power of elections to change regimes and transform societies." - Jason Brownlee, University of Texas at Austin, USA