1st Edition
The Aftermath of the Arab Uprisings Towards Reconstruction, Democracy and Peace
Unlike other books on the Arab uprisings of 2010–2011 which focus on why they occurred, this book looks instead towards the future of three countries—Syria, Libya, and Yemen—where the violence and instability initiated by the uprisings persist. It additionally examines the case of Iraq which continues to suffer from a precarious political situation introduced by the US-led invasion of 2003. The book investigates what should be done to achieve inclusive political and economic development and eventually a lasting peace. It describes the particular circumstances in each of the four countries, and analyses the common challenges facing them such as the need to achieve economic diversification, control inflation, raise employment levels, husband fiscal expenditures, control corruption, and implement transparent policies. It argues that in the four countries any lasting settlement must involve an explicitly stated new social contract that lays the foundation for inclusive socio-economic development and a genuinely democratic environment. In addition, a massive transformation is required of the institutional fabric of society, that is, the set of key institutions that helped create the conditions for conflict. Moreover, the book argues that any successful transition hinges on anticipating the potential for political and economic development that an eventual peace agreement will open. This can only be done by envisioning and planning the reforms that ought to be implemented, and building up political support for the transition phase.
Introduction: On the Causes of Conflict and the Premises for Reconstruction
Samir Makdisi and Raimundo Soto
Part I: Post-Conflict Development and Democratic Governance
1. Economic Agenda for Post-Conflict Reconstruction
Samir Makdisi and Raimundo Soto
2. Grievances and Civil Wars: The State of The Literature
Cristina Bodea and Christian Houle
3 Power‐sharing and Peace-building
Nicholas Sambanis
Part II: Country Studies
4. Causes, Consequences, and Future Directions of the Syrian Conflict
Nader Kabbani and Alma Boustati
5. Conflict, Institutions and the Iraqi Economy, 2003–2020
Bassam Yousif, Rabeh Morrar, and Omar El-Joumayle
6. Conflict, Peace-Building, and Post-Conflict Reconstruction in Yemen
Mahmoud Al Iriani, Hiba Hassan, and Irene Martinez
7. Investigating the Libyan Conflict and Peace-building Process: Causes and Prospects
Amal Hamada, Melike Sökmen, and Chahir Zaki
Concluding Remarks
Samir Makdisi and Raimundo Soto
Biography
Samir Makdisi is a Professor Emeritus of Economics at the American University of Beirut, Lebanon.
Raimundo Soto is a Professor of Economics at the Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile.