Structured Response #4

Both articles outline governmental systems of the Middle East. One argues that social movements can produce fast acting change within these states, while the other contends that there is not a strong enough existing state in much of these areas.

Social movements across the Middle East can provide vast opportunities as an avenue of democratic participation. The mobilization of socially and economically disadvantaged groups is both easier done through grass roots movements as well as done more effectively. These groups can organize political participation through lobbying, voter registration, education initiatives and leadership institutes. The structured inequalities of democracy can be countered by these independent movements, which set agendas and prioritize problems. The views of these groups are somewhat all encompassing; they can focus on a wider array of issues and attract supporters with overlapping issue concerns. The work of these movements can create and revitalize civil society and the political representation they create increases trust in the government and diversify the government’s policy. However, before social movements can take shape, gain membership and align themselves with the government, the state needs to have a strong and functional central government.

Anderson’s work brings to light the issue that although the formation of these social movements has brought about change in other areas, some states within the MENA region are not developed enough to produce change. While some MENA states achieved secure administrative power, others did not. Since the development of Middle Eastern states after the fall of the Ottoman Empire, the government of states was not the center of social and political structure. Peasant agriculture, close-knit ethnic groups and long distance trade made centralizing the government nearly impossible. There are political units without statehood such as the Palestine Liberation Organization or ethnic groups like the Kurds with no means of political force or governmental outlet to express their views. The idea that a state’s government can be used as a tool for supporting the needs of societal actors does not take into account that the government’s choices are determined by its’ ability to obtain resources. If the government is not strong and functional, no amount of political pressure from societal groups will influence its policies.