Beginnings of Modernization in the Middle East by William R. Polk

The first section draws on the state-society literature to provide the basis for understanding the nature of domestic insecurity facing Middle Eastern states. In doing so, the chapter is divided into four sections.

The purpose of this chapter is to demonstrate Buzan’s thesis by focusing on state-society relations in the Middle East. It has been suggested (Buzan 1991) that the socio-political cohesion of states is the primary cause of domestic insecurity and that states that are weak in terms of their socio-political cohesion are the primary locale of present and future wars. The recent Arab uprisings have demonstrated that one of the main sources of regional instability in the Middle East stems from regional states’ domestic environments, while the Syrian conflict clearly shows how civil wars may lead to regional and international instability and invite foreign intervention.Ĭivil war, nevertheless, is not chronic in all states. Yet, domestic strife may lead to regional and international upheaval and invite foreign political and military intervention. Although military considerations remain at the core of states’ security policies, it has been recognised that threats of non-military nature coming from the internal environment of the state could have a significant impact on the security of the state. It has also become a common belief that the majority of contemporary wars are less a problem of the relations between states than a problem within states (Melander 1999). It has been argued (Holsti 1996 & 1991) that war in the post-Cold War era has different sources and takes on significantly different characteristics than previous wars. This is an excerpt from Regional Security in the Middle East: Sectors, Variables and Issues.

Beginnings of Modernization in the Middle East by William R. Polk