Other
- +18
James M. Acton, Saskia Brechenmacher, Cecily Brewer, …
{
"authors": [
"Marwan Muasher"
],
"type": "legacyinthemedia",
"centerAffiliationAll": "dc",
"centers": [
"Carnegie Endowment for International Peace",
"Malcolm H. Kerr Carnegie Middle East Center"
],
"collections": [
"Arab Awakening"
],
"englishNewsletterAll": "menaTransitions",
"nonEnglishNewsletterAll": "",
"primaryCenter": "Carnegie Endowment for International Peace",
"programAffiliation": "MEP",
"programs": [
"Middle East"
],
"projects": [],
"regions": [
"Middle East",
"North Africa",
"Egypt",
"Levant",
"Maghreb"
],
"topics": [
"Political Reform"
]
}
Source: Getty
In The Media
Battle for Pluralism in the Arab World
Democracy can flourish in the Middle East, but it will take decades and will require major political and cultural change.
Published on Mar 15, 2014
Source: Tavis Smiley Show
Speaking on the Tavis Smiley Show, Carnegie’s Marwan Muasher discussed his new book The Second Arab Awakening: And the Battle for Pluralism, which argues that democracy can flourish in the Middle East, but will take decades and will require major political and cultural change. Once the political space has been opened, Muasher said, it is up to the people to take it to democratic ends. People have to roll up their sleeves and work towards putting in place democratic institutions that would ensure that the results will be pluralistic systems, he argued.
In a country like Tunisia, Muasher explained, they acknowledged from the beginning that all forces of society needs to be included in the process towards democracy, whereas in Egypt, all major forces attempted to rule in an exclusionist manner.
With 70 percent of the Arab world under 30 years of age, Muasher said, the young generation believes in democracy and pluralism and the right of all forces to operate. “You have a young generation which understands what it take,” he argued, “being exposed to the outside world [and] understands what it takes to build stable and prosperous systems.”
This interview was originally aired on the Tavis Smiley Show.
About the Author
Marwan Muasher
Vice President for Studies
Marwan Muasher is vice president for studies at Carnegie, where he oversees research in Washington and Beirut on the Middle East. Muasher served as foreign minister (2002–2004) and deputy prime minister (2004–2005) of Jordan, and his career has spanned the areas of diplomacy, development, civil society, and communications.
- Unpacking Trump’s National Security Strategy
- The Widespread Fallout of Israel’s Qatar StrikesQ&A
- +1
Amr Hamzawy, Andrew Leber, Marwan Muasher, …
Recent Work
Carnegie does not take institutional positions on public policy issues; the views represented herein are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of Carnegie, its staff, or its trustees.
More Work from Carnegie Europe
- Europe on Iran: Gone with the WindCommentary
Europe’s reaction to the war in Iran has been disunited and meek, a far cry from its previously leading role in diplomacy with Tehran. To avoid being condemned to the sidelines while escalation continues, Brussels needs to stand up for international law.
Pierre Vimont
- Can Europe Still Matter in Syria?Commentary
Europe’s interests in Syria extend beyond migration management, yet the EU trails behind other players in the country’s post-Assad reconstruction. To boost its influence in Damascus, the union must upgrade its commitment to ensuring regional stability.
Bianka Speidl, Hanga Horváth-Sántha
- Europolis, Where Europe EndsCommentary
A prophetic Romanian novel about a town at the mouth of the Danube carries a warning: Europe decays when it stops looking outward. In a world of increasing insularity, the EU should heed its warning.
Thomas de Waal
- Taking the Pulse: What Issue Is Europe Ignoring at Its Peril in 2026?Commentary
2026 has started in crisis, as the actions of unpredictable leaders shape an increasingly volatile global environment. To shift from crisis response to strategic foresight, what under-the-radar issues should the EU prepare for in the coming year?
Thomas de Waal
- Can Europe and Africa Mend Fences?Commentary
Despite the strategic importance of relations between the EU and the African Union, deep divisions remain between the blocs. At their upcoming summit, both partners should strive to build a mutually beneficial cooperation.
Marta Martinelli
