Democracy Promotion in Arab Politics

Abstract

The first part of this essay explores features and factors pertaining to democratic ideas, ideals and procedures in general and the limits of their applicability in the Arab world in particular. The second part assesses the persistence of the U.S. credibility problem in the Arab world, which became more evident after the George W. Bush Administration began advancing its democracy promotion plans for the "Greater Middle East" region. Although it remained largely symbolic, the Administrations focus on democratization has, directly or indirectly, played a contributory role in strengthening the status of autocratic Arab regimes that support U.S. policy and interests, while hindering the stability of regimes that remain opposed to the U.S. and its allies in the region. In general, the article aims at examining factors and events that have contributed to the deleterious effects of U.S. policy on democratization in the Arab world. More specifically, it argues that the Bush Administrations rhetoric on democracy promotion, which strengthened the status of pro-U.S. regimes in the Arab world, has also contributed to empowering Islamists' popular appeal along with hampering the U.S.'s credibility, public image and prestige across the region.