The Rule of Law in the Arab World: Courts in Egypt and the Gulf (Cambridge Middle East Studies, Series Number 6)

Nathan Brown's penetrating account of the development and operation of the courts in the Arab world is based on fieldwork in Egypt and the Gulf. The book addresses several important questions. Why, for example, did Egypt's political leaders construct an independent judicial system that limited their own authority? And why does such a system appeal to Arab rulers outside Egypt? While most accounts stress the role of imperialism or liberal ideology, the author maintains that the primary purpose of the system is to provide support for the officially sanctioned order. The model offers similar attractions for other Arab rulers. From the theoretical perspective, the book will contribute to the debates about liberal legality, political change and the relationship between law and society in the developing world. It will be read by scholars of the Middle East, law students and those interested in the history of law and its evolution. Nathan Brown's Comprehensive And Penetrating Account Of The Development And Operation Of The Courts In The Arab World Is Based On Extensive Fieldwork In Egypt And The Gulf. The Book Addresses Several Important Questions. Why, For Example, Did Egypt's Political Leaders Construct An Independent Judicial System Which So Obviously Limited Their Own Authority? And Why Does Such A Seemingly Autonomous And Dilatory System Recommend Itself To Arab States Outside Egypt As Diverse As Libya, Kuwait, Iraq And The Gulf? From The Theoretical Perspective, The Book Makes A Powerful And Original Contribution To The Debates About Liberal Legality, External And Internal Sources Of Political Change During And After Imperialism, And The Relationship Between Law And Society In The Developing World. It Will Be Widely Read By Scholars Of The Middle East, Law Students, And Anyone With An Interest In The History Of Law And Its Evolution.--book Jacket. 1. Arab Courts In Comparative Perspective -- 2. The Creation And Operation Of The Modern Egyptian Legal System, 1876-1937 -- 3. Egyptian Courts, 1937-1971: Centralization, Authoritarianism, And Socialism -- 4. Egyptian Courts, 1971-1996: The Reemergence Of Liberal Legality -- 5. Legal Reform In The Arab States Of The Gulf -- 6. The Legal System And The Rule Of Law In Kuwait And Qatar -- 7. Popular Uses Of The Courts -- 8. Business And The Courts. Nathan J. Brown. Includes Bibliographical References (p. 245-252) And Index. Nathan Brown's penetrating account of the development and operation of the courts in the Arab world is based on fieldwork in Egypt and the Gulf. The book addresses important questions about the nature of Egypt's judicial system and the reasons why such a system appeals to Arab rulers outside Egypt. From the theoretical perspective, it also contributes to the debates about liberal legality, political change and the relationship between law and society in the developing world. It will be widely read by scholars of the Middle East, students of law and colonial historians.