Q&A
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Amr Hamzawy, Andrew Leber, Eric Lob, …
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Source: Getty
In The Media
Towards a Culture of Pluralism in the Arab World
Both Islamist and secular forces should work together to guarantee the right of others to operate in a democratic system, even if they don’t agree with the other’s views.
Published on Jan 23, 2014
Source: Voice of America
“No culture, no society can prosper without a culture of diversity,” said Carnegie’s Marwan Muasher, “and yet, that is not what we have seen, or are seeing, today [in the Middle East].” Speaking to Voice of America’s Press Conference USA about his new book, The Second Arab Awakening and the Battle for Pluralism, Muasher said the region has not been living in a culture of democracy and diversity, and therefore, it did not have institutions capable of filling the void and vacuum that appeared as a result of the revolutions.
Muasher contended that the Middle East is seeing exclusionary forces, both Islamist and secular, engaging in a winner-take-all strategy in the Arab world. “As long as this remains a zero-sum game between Islamists and the secular elements in society, I’ve argued that the sum with be zero,” he said. He maintained that both forces should work to guarantee the right for others to operate in such a system, even if they don’t agree with their views—until that is done, Muasher said, the Arab world will be mired in conflicts, without putting in the necessary foundations for democracy.
This interview was originally broadcast on Voice of America.
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.
- The Myriad Problems With the Iran Ceasefire
- The Iran War Is Uncovering the Weakness in U.S.-Gulf TiesCommentary
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.
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