Tormented Births: Passages to Modernity in Europe and the Middle East (Library of Modern Middle East Studies)

"To many, the values, culture and politics of the Middle East stand in direct opposition to those of the West. There is talk of a clash between Islam and modernity. But what is the Middle East today? What defines it? Where is it going? 'Tormented Births' seeks to provide an answer. Based on a wealth of empirical data, Isam Al-Khafaji presents a radically new explanation of the processes of social, political and economic development in the Middle East over the past two centuries. He proposes that the Middle East's path to modernity must be understood in comparison with the European experience. In a sweeping attack on the existing literature, Al-Khafaji shows that the stress on the cultural distinctiveness of the Middle East vis-a-vis Europe is misguided, and that the experience of colonialism and imperialism has not irrevocably distorted the region's natural development. On the contrary, Al-Khafaji shows the striking similarities in the formation and evolution of power structures, social groups and rural-urban spaces in the Middle East and Europe. 'Tormented Births' offers a completely new evaluation of the state of the Middle East today, based on the most interdisciplinary of approaches which combine political science, development economics, history, sociology and cultural studies. Of great political importance, al-Khafaji concludes by presenting a novel explanation of the persistence of authoritarian regimes in the region. 'Tormented Births' is a trail-blazing work of vital importance for any scholar interested in the state of the Middle East and the world today."--Bloomsbury Publishing. Using An Interdisciplinary Approach, Al-khafaji Offers An Exploration Of Political, Economic And Social Development In The Middle East. He Discourages An Approach That Over-emphasises The Importance Of The Colonial Experience And Cultural Differences With Europe. Introduction : Posing The Problematic -- Ch. 1. The Logic Of Premodern Structures -- Ch. 2. Merchants, Landowners And The Origins Of Underdevelopment -- Ch. 3. The Changing Boundaries Of Urban Landscapes -- Ch. 4. Social Formations In Historical Perspective -- Ch. 5. Community, Authority And Identity : Some Methodological Considerations -- Ch. 6. Roots Of Change : A Political Economy Of The Mashreq Revolutions -- Ch. 7. Atomization, Centralization And Nationalism -- Ch. 8. The Political Economy Of State Capitalism -- Ch. 9. Classes, States And Modernity -- App. Note On The Method Of Sampling -- Ch. 10. In Lieu Of Conclusion : From Modernization To Rentierism -- Bibliography : English And French -- Dutch Summary. Isam Al-khafaji. Includes Bibliographical References (p. 327-382). The theme of this study is to question many of the assumptions upon which a huge edifice of 'third world', development/underdevelopment, and/or area studies, studies on the paths to modernity and ultimately our understanding of modern world history rests.