History
Question 1
Democracy deficit in the Middle East has led to an impact in patterns that are characterized by political and economic development in the Middle East. It is wrong when people associate this aspect with presence of Islam in the region and the perception that the region culture supports undemocratic cultures. Culture does not in any way affect the transition to democracy as long as the state and its economy are put under consideration. Transition from democracy deficit to democracy is influenced by the degree in which the independence thinking of the society is not affected by the governance from the state.
Democracy deficit means that the autonomy of the society will be undermined by the state. This means that the society will not be empowered to control the social and economic development and individual will be subjected to tyranny rule. In the Middle East, citizens do not enjoy devolved functions since the states are not in a position to advocate for devolution of power to the local people. In my opinion, I fundamentally believe that the transition of democracy is not affected by the people cultures, social values and norms but the nature that lies within the state society determines whether the regions will be under democracy deficit.
The Middle East democracy deficit started back in the middle ages. There was a times when the Muslims were required to come out of mecca so that they could go and dominate control over Middle East. This brought about a political system that featured authoritarian and military leadership with deep religious values. This has contributed to democracy deficit in the Middle East because dictatorship seems a very difficult aspect to be abandoned.
The struggle to deliver the region from democracy deficit seems unbearable and there are little chances that traditional autocracy will be brought to an end. There are situations that promote the deficit like the war between the Israelites and the Palestinians. The Israel-Palestinian war goes ahead to promote the democracy deficit up to date. The cultures practiced by Arabs also do not create favorable conditions to accommodate for democracy within the society. Chaney claimed that,” Arab cultures provide sobering evidence that the region’s democratic deficit has deep historical roots.”
Democracy deficit in the Middle East continues to affect the region in many aspects. Most of the developed countries tend to avoid the region because of their harsh rules. The political and economic development of Middle East is lagging behind because of the draconian legislative measures. The poverty levels are very high since education has not penetrated to the lower level at its best.
Democracy deficit in Middle East shows high levels of centralization in the government. The Arab countries GDP is much higher than in other countries but the social welfare continues to deteriorate. The political and legal systems in Middle East are less hospitable to private business and trade unions face a very rough operating environment. The private finance rates lowly compared to countries that accommodates for democracy.
Latest developments show that the Arab world is faced by multiple structural changes that create a very unfriendly environment to its citizens. The state of democracy deficit continues to persist and this has developed into formation of terrorism acts. The state of stable security in the universe have been affected by terrorists most of which comes from the Middle East.
Question 2
Shi'a-Sunni divide created religious tension in the Middle East. This brought about a rise in religious sectarianism. The major tensions between Shia and Sunni created animosity and consequently tension in the Middle East. The religious animosity that prevailed after the two closely related Islam groups separated threatened the peaceful conditions that previously existed in the Middle East as each group was worried of an impending attack from the rivals. On a broader scale, the escalation of bigoted tension throughout the Muslim world mirrors the Western strategy of using sectarian dissimilarities to falsify a regional union against Iran. Dogmatic violence persists to this day from Pakistan to Yemen and is a major element of friction throughout the region. Strains among societies intensified during power struggles. This is what was witnessed in the Iraq War, the Bahraini uprising, and most lately the Syrian civil war. Sunni’s being the majority continuously strive to acquire the regions that are dominated by the Shias. Due to this religious animosity, the Middle East has continuously experienced instability. They live with an expectation of a war at any time and both parties stay armed and ready to react to any attack. The US’s involvement in the rivalry further heightens the tension since the Middle East is quite aware that the US is safeguarding its own interests in the region.
Shi'a-Sunni divide can confidently be blamed for the great discord that the Middle East has witnessed since the 1960s. With the division came identity politics. The politics of the Middle East were completely redefined and revolutionary ideologies, wars and interventionism were manifested in the region with equal force. The politics in return brought about instability and the level of conflicts continued to escalate. Divide and rule became a rule in the Middle East damaged many positive developments and the Arab uprisings. Shi'a-Sunni division reflected the regional uniqueness and power politics, in which local actors’ co-produce explicit sectarian storylines to gain support or disrepute their enemies. The division also brought to light the real nature of the Sunni-Arab governments which had vested interests in intensifying the Sunni-Shia gulf in order to counter the lenient control of Iran and Hezbollah. The various governments in the Middle East continued to find it difficult to cooperate with each other and this created a feeling of tension. Regional relations were not only marked by divisions. Over the course, Arab regional politics also witnessed a new kind of Arab identity politics. as each government wanted to protect its own interests while closely monitoring the sectarianism. The lack of cooperation in the region threatened the regional stability and security became really unguaranteed since the Arab world was divided administratively rather than being ruled from a solitary political unit.
Additionally, Shi'a-Sunni rift brought about the development of Arab independence movements. Many of these movements were associated with specific class interests. The movements were quick to react to any maltreatment of the various groups that they stand to protect. Furthermore, more sanctions were placed against the Middle East and the international community segregated itself from the affairs of the Middle East. This coupled with the already tensed region made the region to be in a constant state of political instability. Nations and movements invested heavily in ammunition. With the heavy arsenals, in the hands of the people, crime rate increased in the region
Bibliography
Ehteshami, A., & Wright, S. M, Reform in the Middle East oil monarchies. Reading, Berkshire, UK: Ithaca Press, 2008.
Posusney, M. P., & Angrist, M. P., Authoritarianism in the Middle East: Regimes and resistance. Boulder, Colo: Lynne Rienner Publishers, 2005.
Berberoglu, Berch. Power and Stability in the Middle East. London: Zed Books, 1989.
Bufano, Michael P. A Reconsideration of the Sunni-Shi'a Divide in Early Islam. Thesis (M.A.) -- Clemson University, 2008.
