"This book is a comprehensive overview and analysis of the Palestinians' travail as they move from revolutionary movement to state. Barry Rubin outlines the difficulties in the transition now under way arising from Palestinian history, society, and diplomatic agreements. He writes about the search for a national identity, the choice of an economic system, and the structure of government." "Rubin finds that, overall, the positive aspects of the Palestinian Authority outweigh the negative, and he foresees the establishment of a Palestinian state. His charting of the triumphs and difficulties of this state-in-the-making helps predict and explain future dramatic developments in the Middle East."--BOOK JACKET.

1. : The Rulers, the Ruled, and the Rules -- 2. : The Palestinian Legislative Council -- 3. : Democracy, Stability, and Human Rights -- 4. : The Polity and the People -- 5. : The New Palestinian Political Elite -- 6. : The Palestinian Opposition -- 7. : The Palestinian Authority and the Middle East -- 8. : Thinking about Israel and the United States -- 9. : Recognizing Facts, Creating Facts -- App. 1. : Palestinian Authority Cabinets, 1994-1999 -- App. 2. : Membership of the Palestinian Legislative Council (PLC) -- App. 3. : The Fatah Central Committee -- App. 4. : The PLO Executive Committee (EC) -- App. 5. : Middle East States and the Palestinian Authority.