The Communist Movement in the Arab World

by Tareq Y. Ismael

This book examines the communist movement in the Arab world from the time of the Russian revolution until after the collapse of the Soviet Union. It traces the interaction of the world communist movement which was characterized by an uncritical acceptance of Marxism-Leninism, and local communists, who moved from initial dependence on Moscow to a position more adapted to local circumstances and sensitivities that could be characterized as a distinctive 'Arab communism'. It goes on to trace the impact of 'Arab communism' on a range of issues in the region, arguing that the role of Arab communist parties was highly significant, and disproportionate to the relatively small numbers of communists in the countries concerned.

Genres: History, Politics, Nonfiction

224 pages, Hardcover

First published December 1, 2004

About the author

Tareq Y. Ismael is Professor of Political Science at the University of Calgary, Canada. He is Secretary General of the International Association of Middle Eastern Studies and founding co-editor of the International Journal of Contemporary Iraqi Studies. His research interests and numerous publications centre on ideologies in the Middle East and international and domestic politics in Middle Eastern countries, with focus on Iraq.

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The communist movement in Arabia World