Middle East Politics

Catalog description

This course examines the interplay between political systems, economic structures, and social dynamics that shape the contemporary Middle East. Students will analyze how authoritarian resilience, democratic movements, and the landmark Arab Spring uprisings have transformed the political landscape across Middle Eastern states. The course explores the institutional foundations of governance—from elections and courts to coercive mechanisms—that sustain various regime types, from monarchies to republics. The course investigates pivotal forces driving regional politics, including religious movements, sectarian identities, and gender dynamics. Special attention is paid to external influences, particularly U.S. foreign policy interventions and the emergence of transnational jihadist organizations like Al Qaeda and ISIS. Central to the course is a critical analysis of how natural resources—especially oil—shape economic development and democratic prospects. Students will examine how migration patterns, remittances, foreign direct investment, and environmental challenges further complicate the region's political economy.