Freedom's Unsteady March: America's Role in Building Arab Democracy

by Tamara Cofman Wittes

" President Bush promised to democratize the Middle East, but the results so far have dispirited democracy advocates and brought their project into disrepute. After the debacle in Iraq and the electoral success of Hamas, the pursuit of Arab democracy seems to many observers a fool's errand, an unfortunate combination of ideology and wishful thinking. In F reedom's Unsteady March , Tamara Cofman Wittes dissects the Bush administration's failure to advance freedom in the Middle East and lays out a better strategy for future efforts to promote democracy. Wittes argues that only the development of a more liberal and democratic politics in the Arab world will secure America's long-term goals in the region and that America must continue trying to foster progress in that direction. To do so, however, it must confront more honestly the risks of change and act more effectively to contain them. A dangerous combination of growing populations, economic stagnation, and political alienation poses the primary threat to Middle East stability today, severely testing the legitimacy and governability of key states such as Egypt and Saudi Arabia. If Arab governments cannot sustain the support of their citizens, they will find it difficult to work with America on issues of common concern such as stabilizing Iraq, confronting Iran on nuclear weapons, and promoting Arab-Israeli peace. Despite President Bush's failures, Wittes argues, the United States cannot afford to ignore the momentous social, economic, and political changes already taking place in Arab states. Wittes' detailed analysis of Arab politics and American policy presents an alternative—in her view, the only overcoming America's deep ambivalence about Arab democracy to support positive, liberal change in the region that will create a firmer foundation for Arab-American ties. "

176 pages, Hardcover

First published April 1, 2008

Reviews

[Francisco Vazquez · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was written shortly before the end of Bush 43 administration and provides a fact-based assessment of his foreign policy in the Middle East.
The book turned out to be prescient about the effects that lack of democracy would bring to the Middle East (see “Arab Spring”), but at times it is clear that the author had very limited experience implementing government policy at the time of writing. Books like this fall into a trap where policy agendas are, at the same time, too detailed and too general. This kind of books reads more like a job application.
The author is now (2024) a high level official in Biden’s state department. It would be interesting to see how her views and opinions about the workings of the American government have evolved over the last 16 years.

[Larry · Rating 4 out of 5]

A masterful book about the Middle East and the role of governments and democratic efforts therein. Should be a must read for all serious and interested students of that part of the world.