For years the authoritarian regimes of the Arab world displayed remarkable persistence. Then, beginning in December 2010, much of the region underwent rapid and remarkable political change. This volume explores the precursors, nature, and trajectory of the dynamics unleashed by the Arab Spring. The authors focus on the complex forces that have sustained authoritarianism in the region, as well as the roots of popular mobilization and regime overthrow. They also examine the possibilities for democratic reform -- and, where it has occurred, relapse. Their work offers a comprehensive assessment, at once sophisticated and accessible, of current developments and trends in the countries of the Arab Middle East and North Africa. -- Publisher description.

1. New horizons in Arab politics -- Part 1. The context -- 2. North Africa: Algeria, Egypt, Libya, Morocco, Tunisia / with Merouan Mekouar -- 3. The Mashreq: Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, Palestine, Syria -- 4. The Arabian Peninsula: Bahrain, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Yemen -- Part 2. The issues -- 5. Political culture revisited -- 6. Islamist movements and democratic politics / by Janine A. Clark -- 7. Electoral politics -- 8. The politics of monarchical liberalization -- 9. Rentierism and resource politics -- 10. Economic liberalization -- 11. The new Arab media -- 12. Impact of the regional and international environment -- Part 3. Conclusion -- 13. From fear to hope?