A Critical Book Review of Civil Society and Democracy in the Middle East

ZahedZahedani, SeyedSaeid

A Critical Book Review of Civil Society and Democracy in the Middle East

Document Type : Research

Author

SeyedSaeid ZahedZahedani

Associate Professor of Sociology, Member of Institute for Humanities and Social Sciences Development, Shiraz University

Abstract

This book follows a political development in the Middle East. After World War II, at the time of the U.S. investments in Europe and the third world countries, development became a subject of study in social sciences. According to Modernization Theories, political development should follow economic and cultural developments. Mostly at this phase, Islamic societies resist development because of its secular, humanist, and experimental sciences bases. Thereby, development confronts challenges in Islamic countries. Articles of this book explain hardships of liberal democracy in Islamic countries and suggest some solutions. They believe there should be negotiations between Iran and the U.S., the top powers of the region, in order to avoid conflicts. Other suggestions are the interpretation of religious texts according to liberal principles, promotion of gender equality, and enhancement of women's' participation in social life.

Keywords

Political Development

Liberalism

Islam

the Middle East

Civilization Conflict

Subjects

Sociology

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