8 thoughts on “HC column on big trends in Arab world”

  1. Thank you, Helena, for this well articulated piece; indeed your organization of the currents of thought across the so-called Arab world are thorough.
    What I would argue that the piece leave’s out are the “progressive” movements, inclusive of the region’s Human Rights movements, the womens rights activists, and the LGBT activists. Moreover, what influence would you say that transnational human rights activism has had on the region? Or, let me say simply “civil society activists”? Indeed crucial, and strong, particularly in Lebanon…Where would you locate student movements in all of this?
    Look forward to your comments?

  2. Thank you, Helena, for this well articulated piece; indeed your organization of the currents of thought across the so-called Arab world are thorough.
    What I would argue that the piece leave’s out are the “progressive” movements, inclusive of the region’s Human Rights movements, the womens rights activists, and the LGBT activists. Moreover, what influence would you say that transnational human rights activism has had on the region? Or, let me say simply “civil society activists”? Indeed crucial, and strong, particularly in Lebanon…Where would you locate student movements in all of this?
    Look forward to your comments?

  4. KDJ– I could not be exhaustive and perhaps should have spelled out that there are, indeed, other movements/trends in the region. But the four I described are the big ones.
    By and large most “liberal” movements such as you list are very very small and in decline… not least because of the US’s cavalier (mis-)appropriation of the discourse of human rights etc.
    Of course, there are more liberal and less liberal versions of all the four big ideologies I described… and we can note that, e.g. the MB in Egypt and Jordan currently make many of the same claims for political liberties that human rights activists make and are in strong and on both sides fairly intentional coalition with them.
    Also, I would challenge your implied claim that the kinds of movements you list “comprise” civil society. The non-governmental adherents of all four of the trends I list are also part of (non-governmental) civil society. Civil society is by no means ipso facto limited to liberals.

  5. Agreed! You are a laser-sharp thinker, Helena! Is any of our work ever exhaustive? Of course it cannot be. Your efforts are always exemplary!
    With very best wishes,
    KDJ

  8. Just a quick note: My comments in response to Helena’s latest column appeared to read as a bit of an arrogant challenge; note that it was very late in the evening when I wrote them…in no way were my questions intended as such.
    With best wishes,
    KDJ

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