When Parliaments Ruled the Middle East: Iraq and Syria, 1946-63

Matthieu Rey's book When Parliaments Ruled the Middle East explores the parliamentary system in postwar Iraq and Syria, examining how it prevailed, its social effects, and why elites couldn't overcome unrest. It challenges the transitional nature of the period and proposes new ways to examine it.

Format: Hardback
Length: 344 pages
Publication date: 05 April 2022
Publisher: American University in Cairo Press

When Parliaments Ruled the Middle East: An Essential Study of Parliamentary Politics in Postwar Iraq and Syria, Before the Consolidation of Authoritarian Rule Under the Bath Party

When Parliaments Ruled the Middle East delves into three interconnected themes to shed light on the events that transpired between 1946 and 1963 in Iraq and Syria. Firstly, it explores the factors that led to the prevalence of parliamentary systems in both countries following the Second World War, examining the reasons behind this transition. Secondly, it examines the social consequences of these parliamentary systems, analyzing how they impacted society and, in turn, how these changes shaped the political landscape. Lastly, it examines the inability of elites in both countries to overcome the unrest that brought an end to both a liberal era and a specific type of political game.

Drawing on a wide range of sources and extensive archival research in French, English, and Arabic, Matthieu Rey highlights the processes of parliamentary systems in the modern era, which are common to post-independence countries and representative regimes. He delves into the intersection of various political phenomena that characterized that period in Iraq and Syria, including regular elections, the implementation of emergency law, press freedom, the open expression of opinions, the formation of new political parties, frequent military coups, and the joint exercise of power by members of the old classes and reformist newcomers.

By treating this period as neither an epilogue of the liberal order nor a prelude to authoritarianism, Rey challenges the conventional understanding of the transitional nature of the time. He proposes new approaches and tools for examining this period, emphasizing the contingent and improvisatory aspects of political history.

In conclusion, When Parliaments Ruled the Middle East offers a comprehensive and insightful analysis of parliamentary politics in postwar Iraq and Syria, shedding light on the complex dynamics that shaped the region's political landscape during a pivotal period. Rey's meticulous research and innovative approach provide valuable insights into the processes and consequences of parliamentary systems, challenging traditional narratives and offering new perspectives on the transitional nature of the Middle East.

Weight: 674g
Dimension: 161 x 237 x 30 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781649031167