The Closed Circle: An Interpretation of the Arabs (Edward Burlingame Book)

As the violence of the Middle East has come to America, many Westerners are stunned and confounded by this new form of mayhem that appears to be a feature of Arab societies. This important book explains how Arabs are closed in a circle defined by tribal, religious, and cultural traditions. David Pryce-Jones examines the forces which "drive the Arabs in their dealings with each other and with the West." In the postwar world, he argues, the Arabs reverted to age-old tribal and kinship structures, from which they have been unable to escape. In tribal society, loyalty is extended to close kin and other members of the tribe. The successful nation-state-the model that Westerners understand-generates broader loyalties, but the tribal world has no institutions that have evolved by common consent for the general good. Those who seek power achieve it by plotting secretly and ruthlessly eliminating their rivals. In the Arab world, violence is systemic. "This is a healthy corrective, a thought-provoking study. And Mr. Pryce-Jones has done his research, bringing a wealth of reading to his task; the book is extensively documented, with a good section of reference notes."-David K. Shipler, New York Times Book Review. "Acute insights into how the Middle East works, or fails to work. This is definitely a book to be read, if also one to be thought about carefully and rather critically."-David Morgan, Times Literary Supplement. As The Violence Of The Middle East Has Come To America, Many Westerners Are Stunned And Confounded By This New Form Of Mayhem That Appears To Be A Feature Of Arab Societies. This Book Explains How Arabs Are Closed In A Circle Defined By Tribal, Religious, And Cultural Traditions. David Pryce-jones Examines The Forces That Drive The Arabs In Their Dealings With Each Other And With The West. In The Postwar World, He Argues, The Arabs Reverted To Age-old Tribal And Kinship Structures From Which They Have Been Unable To Escape. In Tribal Society, Loyalty Is Extended To Close Kin And Other Members Of The Tribe. The Successful Nation State - The Model That Westerners Understand - Generates Broader Loyalties, But The Tribal World Has No Institutions That Have Evolved By Common Consent For The Common Good. Those Who Seek Power Achieve It By Plotting Secretly And Ruthlessly Eliminating Their Rivals. In The Arab World, Violence Is Systemic.--book Jacket. Tribal Society And Its Legacy -- Shame And Honor -- Western Approaches -- Power Challenging And Careerism -- Men And Women -- The Turkish Example -- Colonialism -- The Impact Of Nazism -- The Impact Of Communism -- Arabia And Oil -- The Issue Of Palestine -- Power Holders -- Image And Identity. David Pryce-jones. Includes Bibliographical References (p. 407 - 443) And Index. Explores The Legacy Of Civil War And Despotic Regimes Crippling Arab Nations And Points To A Complex Code Of Shame, Honor, And Power-challenging That Feed The Ongoing Political Battles. Tribal Society And Its Legacy -- Shame And Honor -- Western Approaches -- Power Challenging And Careerism -- Men And Women -- The Turkish Example -- Colonialism -- The Impact Of Nazism -- The Impact Of Communism -- Arabia And Oil -- The Issue Of Palestine -- Power Holders -- Image And Identity. David Pryce-jones. An Edward Burlingame Book. Maps On Lining Papers. Includes Bibliographical References And Index. This important book explains how Arabs are closed in a circle defined by tribal, religious, and cultural traditions. David Pryce-Jones examines the tribal forces which, he believes, drive the Arabs in their dealings with each other and with the West. In the postwar world, he argues, the Arabs reverted to age-old tribal and kinship structures, a closed circle from which they have been unable to escape, and in which violence is systemic. A healthy corrective, a thought-provoking study. --David K. Shipler, New York Times Book Review The author argues that modern Arab society is based in ancient tribal culture complicating its relationship with the West.