Description
Book SynopsisApproaching the concept of Islamic constitutionalism from a comparative perspective, this thought-provoking study by Antoni Abat i Ninet and Mark Tushnet uses traditional Western political theory as a lens to develop a framework for analyzing the events known as the 'Arab Spring'.
Writing with clarity and insight, the authors place Western and Arabic traditions into a constructive dialogue. They focus on whether we can develop a 'theory of revolutions' that helps us understand events occurring at divergent times at geographically separate locations. This question is meticulously analyzed through the detailed examination of specific developments relevant to the ideas of revolution and constitutionalism in several nations affected by the Arab Spring. Case studies focus on Morocco and Libya as examples of unsuccessful revolutions, as well as Tunisia and Egypt. These lead the authors to consider the nature of constitutionalism itself and the concept of illiberal but non-authoritarian constitutions: a particularly pressing concern given the prominent contemporary discussions of the role of shari'a in post-Arab Spring constitutions.
The Arab Spring will offer new insights to scholars, researchers and students of law and the political sciences, in particular those focusing on theories of revolution, democracy, constitutional law, Islamic constitutionalism and legal theory.
Trade Review'This interesting work offers an informed and timely analysis of the revolutions and constitutional movements in North Africa and the Middle East from 2010. Four sets of very different experiences receive treatment in depth: in Morocco, Libya, Tunisia and Egypt. The book's explicit aim of placing Western and Arabic traditions in 'constructive dialogue' is particularly welcome.' --Cheryl Saunders, Melbourne Law School, Australia
Table of ContentsContents: Introduction 1. Revolutions in the Middle East and Northern Africa 2. Islamic Constitutionalism and the Arab Spring 3. Unsuccessful Revolutions within the Arab Spring Wave: The Cases of Morocco and Libya 4. The Case of Tunisia 5. The Case of Egypt Bibliography Index
