Examining the social and cultural forces that have hindered the emergence and widespread development of democratic polities in the Middle East, Mehran Kamrava analyzes the effect politics, in particular, and society-based dynamics, in general, have had on the nature and evolution of Middle Eastern culture.

Tables and Figures
Foreword by Peter Avery
Preface

1. The Social Origins of Democracy
The Debate over Democracy
Democratization and Political Crafting
Civil Society in Comparative Perspective
Democracy in the Middle East

2. Social Forces and Institutions
Social Forces
Social Institutions

3. Social Classes
Urban Social Classes
Rural Social Classes

4. Social Change
Causes of Social Change
Manifestations of Social Change

5. Popular Culture
Islam
Culture of Confusion
Culture of Wasted Energies
Culture of Virility
Rural Culture

6. Political Culture
Islam
The Cult of Personality

Conclusion

Notes
Bibliography
Index

Mehran Kamrava teaches political science at California State University, Northridge. Born in Iran, he received his Ph.D. in Social and Political Sciences from Cambridge University. He is the author of a number of books, including Revolutionary Politics; Revolution in Iran: The Roots of Turmoil; and Cultural Politics in the Third World.