POL 135. Session #9:

Transcription

1 POL 135 Session #9:

2 1. The Building of Monarchies Saudi Arabia and Jordan, adaptation of Bedouin tribal practices to states. Family ties determine social position. Royal families control politics, military, economy The king is advised by a Council of Ministers composed almost exclusively of members of royal family Military role in politics minimal Saudi Arabia governed according to the Shari a (Islamic law)

3 Jordan Similar monarchic structure, adopted tribal practices. However, since population more heterogeneous (Palestinians), monarchy assumes a more constitutional structure with greater latitude to professional executive Army influential, army leadership composed of Bedouin officers loyal to the King Executive more diverse Parliament acting as legislature, may be adjourned by the king

4 In both Jordan and Saudi Arabia, transference of existing traditions into new state structures, preservation of this structure without much change over time. No meaningful outside threat during initial period of state building. Substantial support from imperialist powers (e.g., Britain in Jordan) helps maintain monarchy through the initial period

5 Prestate institutions: the Jewish Agency, the party system, the para military organizations Temporary government during the War of Independence Incorporation of all political and religious factions The status quo arrangement with religious parties The Declaration of Independence and the formation of a system of government through compromise

6 The consolidation of the state as supreme authority: The cases of Altalena and the dissolution of the Palmach A dominant party within a coalition government The role of the army in state building the myth of the melting pot The use of force as a state building factor: the policy of retaliation Treatment of minorities the martial law

7 Egypt: Egypt and Turkey: Revolutions from Above Up to July 1952: Constitutional monarchy. King is chief executive, but considerable parliamentary activity within a multiparty system July 1952: Free officers stage a coup d etat. Depose king. Declare temporary emergency government Initial direction unclear, but quick turn toward state centralized economy. Land and economic reforms, nationalization of key assets (banks, Suez Canal). Large development projects (e.g., Aswan Dam)

8 Authoritarian government, reliant on military. Establishment of a single party system the Arab Socialist Union Ruling elite from cadre of Free Officers who staged the coup Retired military officers placed in charge of most civilian administrative projects Political change accompanied by instigation of conflict with Western Powers (e.g., leading the opposition to the Baghdad Pact, nationalization of the Canal), and establishment of ties with Soviet Union Instigation of domestic unrest in conservative monarchies

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11 Source of political change: Turkey s defeat in World War I and the continued decay of the Ottoman Empire Ata Turk (Mustafa Kamel). Turkish officer who fought bravely in WWI, recognized the internal weakness of the political system of the Caliphate in the Ottoman Empire Staged a revolution against the Caliphate ( ) using the military as his principal source of power Established a secular republic in Turkey in 1923 Initially a military government, with himself as president

12 Development of Turkish nationalist symbols (language, script, flag, educational system) A series of reforms: Abolition of sultanate, formation of a nonhereditary government Secular role, abolition of religious courts and religious law in national affairs Universal suffrage law Civilian institutions Foreign policy based on retraction of borders, ties with west Military as guarantor of civilian system Gradual transformation to democracy (under the auspices of the military)

13 In contrast to the Egyptian model of state building, the Turkish model was based on fundamentally peaceful and inward looking policy Ata Turk s successor, Ismet Inonou, maintained Turkish neutrality during World War II and gradually transferred power to a democratically elected legislature and government Military coups staged in 1960 and 1980 in reaction to claims of inefficient management of national affairs by civilian governments, but civilian rule restored after brief periods of martial law. Constant problems with minorities: principally, Kurds and Armenians. Kurds established a guerrilla terrorist group PKK Kurdistan s Working Party fighting for Kurdish autonomy and political ties with Iraqi Kurds

14 Both societies are multiethnic. Syria: 75% Sunni Muslims; 16% Alawaite, Druze, 9% Crhistians Iraq: Over 60% Shi ite, 35% Sunni, of whom 15% are Kurds Both societies were under colonial influence for a long time (Syria under France s influence, Iraq under British) A long period of instability in both countries. Frequent coups, mostly by different military groups. Regime stabilizes in the 1970s under totalitarian rule of minorities (Sunnis in Iraq, Alawites in Syria)

15 Military is principal support group of regime. Top command of military and secret police by members of leaders tribe or ethnic group. Rule by oppression and decisive crushing of any opposition. Stability out of total fear. Actual or planned hereditary transfer of power as in conservative monarchies. Economies quite closed (except Iraq s focus on oil exports). Frequent use of diversionary policies Syria in 1967, Iraq in 1990.