Midterm Essay Questions for Govt. Politics in the Middle East

Orientalism

A concept describing how western countries depict the eastern countries in a stereotypical and biased way. It’s both an attitude and a system of knowledge that helps justify western dominance.

Edward Said

Palestinian-American literary critic And author or Orientalism(1978)

The “Other”

The west describes itself as modern and civilized by contracting itself with the East, which is portrayed as exotic, backward, irrational, and dangerous.

Power and knowledge

Western scholars, writers, and media produce knowledge about the east, but this knowledge is shaped by power. It’s not neutral, it supports colonial and political control.

Representation

The Middle East is often depicted through stereotypes (e.g, terrorists, oppressed women, desert lands, oil-rich dictators) these images influence how the west sees and treats the region.

Colonial Justification

Orientalist Ideas made it seem acceptable for western powers to colonize or intervene-claiming to civilize or modernize middle eastern societies

Modern Revelance

Orientalism continues today in media, films, news, and foreign policy, shaping public opinion and justifying western actions in the region.

Connections to the Middle East

Western depictions of Arabs and Muslims often oversimplify diverse cultures , U.S and European governments use orientalists logic to frame the Middle East as unstable or dangerous.

Where do we see this in Media?

Films like alladin or political narratives about saving middle eastern women or fighting terrorism rely on orientalist ideals

Critiques- there are 6/7- 7

Overgeneralization- Not all Westerners were biased/racist/imperialist

Ignores positive Exchange- cultural interactions weren’t always about domination,

Too theoretical- based on literature more than facts

Static view- Attitudes changed over time/ across centuries

Self Contradiction- he generalizes the west, falls into that “us vs them” trap that he criticizes.

Academic chilling effect- Made Middle East studies politically sensitive, ‘post orientalism’ discouraged western scholarship out of fear of wing labeled colonist of biased.

Ignores Internal Issues- Over focus on Western blame, diverts attention from internal, social, political and economic issues within the region itself.

State feminism

When the government promotes women’s rights and gender equality through official policies, laws, or institutions, from the state, not from the people.

Top down approach

Reforms come from rulers or state elites, not independent activists.

Focus on modernization

Governments often use women’s rights as a sign of modernity and progress.

Controlled participation

Women organizations may exist, but are usually state-sponsored and limited in political freedom.

Selective Rights

The state may allow women’s education, jobs, or political roles, but not full political freedom or equality.

Examples in Egypt- Under Nasser, Sadat, Mubarak

• Promoted education and employment for women

• Created state-run women’s unions

• BUTTTTTT!!! Independent feminist Activism was restricted

Tunisia- Under Bourguiba, and Ben Ali

• Early leader in women’s rights in the Arab world

• Banned polygamy, promoted women’s education

YETTTTTT, all reforms were tied to regime control, not democracy!!!

Saudi Arabia- In recent years

• Women allowed to drive, work, and travel without male guardian

STILLLLL- These rights come from ruling monarchy, not from women’s movements.

Motivations

To gain legitimacy- appear modern and progressive

To control women’s movements- avoid challenging independent activism

To promote development- women’s labor contributes to the economy

Pros- Implications

Expands education, jobs, and some legal rights for women

Beings women unto pubic life and state institutions

Can create visibility for women in politics and society

Cons- Implications

Keeps women dependent on the state

Often ignores political rights

Used as propaganda

Feminist movements become weakened or co-opted by the regime.

Conclusion

It’s a ‘paradox’, women gain rights but lose political freedom

What was the Arab Spring?

A wave of pro democracy protests and uprisings that began in late 2010 and spread across the Arab world in 2011

Where did the Arab spring start?

Started in Tunisia, after a street vendor named Mohamed Bouazizi set himself on fire in protest against government corruption and police brutality.

Where did it spread to?

Egypt, Libya, Yemen, Syria, and Bahrain and inspired movements in many other Arab countries.

Main Causes

Authoritarian rule- Long term dictatorships

Corruption and inequality- wealth concentrated in elites, youth faced high unemployment

Lack of freedoms- repression, censorship, no political participation

Social media- helped mobilize and organize protests

Youth frustration- young, educated, but jobless populations demanding reform and dignity.

Country overview- Tunisia

The only relatively successful transition created a new constituency and held elections, though democracy weakened again under President Kais Saied.

Egypt

Mubarak removed, brief democratic rule under Morse, then military took power again under el-Sisi. (Authoritarianism returns)

Libya

Gaddafi overthrown with NATO help, civil war and instability

Yemen

Long uprising- civil war between government and Houthi rebels.

Syria

Peaceful protests, then a brutal civil civil; Assad remains in power with Russian and Iranian support.

Bahrain

Protests crushed by the government (with help from Saudi Arabia)

Authoritarian Resilience

Most regimes that survived became more authoritarian, using new technology and stronger security forces to control dissent.

Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and Syria show tightened state power and fewer political freedoms.

Economic Struggles Continue

Unemployment, corruption, and inequality still fuels frustration.

Economic problems worsened by COVID-19, wars, and declining oil prices for some states.

Political fatigue and Disillusionment

Many citizens have lost hope in quick democratic change after seeing the chaos in Libya, Syria, and Yemen. People are demanding reform in safer ways such as smaller protests and online activism.

New Generations and Technology

Young people use social media to challenge narratives and share local activism like women’s rights corruption, and environment. There’s more focus on social justice and accountability, not just overthrowing regimes.

Regional Divides

Ongoing conflicts and rivalries- like Iran vs. Saudi Arabia, Israel and Palestine, and civil wars all shape political instability.

Conclusion

The Arab spring was a turning point that exposed deep political and social frustration in the Middle East, which led to small reforms, and although failed to bring lasting democracy it bought about political awareness. Citizens are more vocal and conscious of their rights. The region today still faces strong authoritarianism, economic hardship, but also a new generation that fights for change.