Political DirectionsChapter 27, Sec. 1

Pan-ArabismO By 1950, most Middle Eastern

nations had won independence.O Despite this, they still felt the effects

of European imperialism.O Their national boundaries had been

drawn by the West and their economies depended heavily on the European powers.

O This led to opposition to western culture.

Pan-ArabismO Goals

O Arab nationalists believed that a unified Arab state could be a major world power.

O They believed that such an Arab state could be strong enough to end European domination of the Middle East.

O Experiments in this idea (Egypt and Syria) were short-lived.

Obstacles to UnityO National, ethnic, and kinship ties proved

to be stronger than the desire for pan-Arabism.O Many people felt greater loyalty to their

own country than to the pan-Arab state.O Other factors made pan-Arabism

difficult including geographic, economic, and religious differences.

O Despite their failure to unit many Arab leaders still held onto the dream of a pan-Arab state.

Political TraditionsO After the period of imperialism many

Arabic nations struggled to define their individual identities.

O Most states turned to powerful central governments with a sole leader.

Forms of GovernmentO Most Middle Eastern nations today

are republics, though in some dictators hold power.

O At the time of independence many nations were monarchies but then some later became republics.O Republics: Egypt, Iraq, and IranO Monarchies: Saudi Arabia and Jordan

Forms of GovernmentO Middle Eastern countries vary in the

degree to which citizens can participate in their government.O Saudi Arabia has a monarch that has

absolute power.O Jordan has a constitutional monarchy

with an elected parliament and king.O Turkey and Israel are multiparty

states that hold free elections. Citizens there are freer to express their opinions.

Forms of GovernmentO In both Syria and Iraq a strongman

ruler and a single political party, the Baath party, dominate.O Former Iraqi president Saddam

Hussein brutally silenced critics and crushed opposition groups.

Islamic LawO Shariah – the moral code and religious

law of IslamO As in the past, Islam acts as both a

religion and basis for government.O Muslims recognize the Koran as

governing all aspects of life.O While most Middle Eastern countries

follow western styles of government, some nations (like Iran and Saudi Arabia) rely on Shariah.

Challenges to StabilityO Many different factors have posed

major challenges to the governments of the Middle East.O These factors include minority groups

seeking self-rule, rapid population growth, urbanization, widespread poverty, and illiteracy.

Civil War in LebanonO For many years Lebanon was one of the

most unstable places in the Middle East.O Lebanon is home to many different

Christian and Muslim groups.O Power in the government was divided

amongst these different groups.O However it gave less power to the growing

Muslim population than to Christian groups.O In 1975, Lebanon plunged into a Civil War

which lasted for 16 years.O The Palestinian Liberation Organization

(PLO) emerged at this time to launch terrorist attacks on Israel.

Foreign InvolvementO In time, Syria, Israel, Iran, and the United

States all became involved in the struggle.O Syria and Israel occupied parts of LebanonO Thousands of Lebanese were killed in the

fighting, and the once-thriving economy was destroyed.

O Finally, in 1991, the Lebanese agreed to a power-sharing agreement that gave Muslims a greater say in government.

The Force of Islamic Tradition

O After independence, Middle Eastern nations inherited many elements of western culture and technology.O Leaders set up secular governments and

schools.O Islamic law was replaced by law codes with

western principles.O In cities, especially, young people embraced

western music, clothing, and cultural values.O Women gained more freedom to go out in

public, and some stopped covering their heads and faces.

The Islamist Movement

O Some Muslims saw westernization has a form of colonialism.O To them, it was an evil force

undermining Islamic society.O They demanded a return to the

values set out in the Koran and early Islamic traditions.

O People in Muslim lands often disagreed about if this should be done.

The Islamist Movement

O The Islamists insisted that governments use the Shariah as the basis of law.O They wanted to restore authority to

religious leaders and to enforce strict separation of men and women in public places.

O The Islamist view spurred a religious revival throughout the Muslim world.O It seemed to offer a balance to the rapid

social and economic challenges sweeping the Muslim world.

ExtremismO Extremist groups such as al Qaeda have used

terror and violence to promote their values.O They claim to be in a holy struggle against the

enemies of Islam.

O Extremists have targeted the United States for attack.O They accuse the U.S. of spreading its culture

and values in a new form of imperialism.O They also condemn the U.S. for aiding Israel

and helping oppressive governments stay in power.

ExtremismO Most Middle Eastern leaders reject the actions

of Islamic extremists.O They say that westernization is a natural

process.O Governments in Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and

Algeria have cracked down on Islamic extremists.

O However, they were not able to destroy the movements.O In many Muslim countries, people who feel they

have no future continue to be drawn to the extremists.