Ahmed M. Abozaid, "Undesired Revolution: The Arab Uprising in Egypt--A Three Level Analysis" (Brill, 2023)
Apr 20, 2024
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Ahmed M. Abozaid discusses his book on the Arab Uprising in Egypt, emphasizing the importance of non-Western perspectives and decolonizing International Relations. The podcast explores the challenges of representing diverse perspectives, the author's writing process, theoretical gaps in international relations, reflections on the Egyptian Uprising in Upper Egypt, Egypt's foreign policy post-revolutions, and engagement with Arabic audiences for scholarly projects.
Emphasizes human-centric analysis for understanding societal struggles post-Arab uprising in Egypt.
Critiques conventional international relations theories for neglecting public representation and societal security.
Advocates for a three-level analysis framework focusing on societal, state, and international dynamics in revolutions.
Highlights the importance of societal security over state security in foreign policy studies.
Deep dives
Introduction to Academic Book Promotion Service
The podcast discusses the founder of the New Books Network reflecting on the lack of PR services for academic books. Collaborating with R.L.M., a PR firm, a unique service was created to promote academic books. This service aims to offer value for money by providing promotion specifically targeted at authors of academic books.
Research Journey on Arab Uprising and Writing Process
The podcast episode features Dr. Ahmed Abou-Zaid discussing his book on the Arab uprising in Egypt. His research journey started after the 2011 revolution, leading him to question the representation of the people. He delved into the social forces behind the revolution, recognizing the importance of human-centric analysis in understanding the dynamics of societal struggles and political transformations.
Challenges in International Relations Studies on Arab Spring
The episode highlights the gaps in international relations theories regarding the Arab Spring. It emphasizes the absence of public representation and societal security in mainstream international relations discussions. Dr. Abou-Zaid critiques the state-centric approach, advocating for a human-centric model to address the aspirations and demands of people in revolutionary contexts.
Theoretical Framework for Analyzing Revolution and Foreign Policy
The episode explores Dr. Abou-Zaid's theoretical framework for analyzing revolution and foreign policy. He engages with critical international relations theories to bridge the gap between theory and practice. The book's structure reflects a three-level analysis, focusing on society, state, and international levels to understand the correlation between revolutionary movements, foreign policy, and global dynamics.
Seeking Representation of People's Aspirations in Foreign Policy
Dr. Abou-Zaid discusses the importance of considering people's aspirations in foreign policy studies. He challenges the industry's focus on state security over societal security, especially in the context of the Arab Spring. By emphasizing the need for a human-centric approach, he aims to fill the gap in international relations theories and accurately represent societal dynamics in political analysis.
Challenges of Revolution in Upper Egypt
The lack of revolutionary movements in Upper Egypt has been attributed to various factors highlighted in the podcast. One key reason discussed is the overwhelming presence of the security state in the region, leading to a lack of popular uprisings. Additionally, the legacy of repressive state control and the deep-rooted poverty and illiteracy in the region have also contributed to the absence of significant revolutionary movements. The combination of conservative societal norms, poverty, and limited education levels in Upper Egypt has hindered large-scale revolutionary actions.
Evolving Foreign Policy Post-2011 Revolution
The podcast delves into the evolution of Egypt's foreign policy following the 2011 revolution. It emphasizes the need to understand the impact of regime changes on foreign relations. The analysis explores seven key variables shaping Egypt's foreign policy post-revolution, including national choices, performance of the government, and civil-military relations. By examining shifts in regime type, national strategy, and public participation, the podcast highlights the intricate dynamics influencing Egypt's foreign policy direction post-2011.
Ahmed M. Abozaid’s Undesired Revolution: The Arab Uprising in Egypt--A Three Level Analysis (Brill, 2023) introduces new non-Western perspectives on the Arab Uprisings, decentering and decolonizing International Relations, and Middle Eastern Studies. Drawing on over ten years of fieldwork, ethnography, over 250 interviews, and empirical research, it is one of the first books to evaluate the position of International Relations theorists towards studying the Arab Uprisings. It relies on local IR scholarship from the region, which is rarely considered. It provides a critical account of why democratic revolutions have failed, how counterrevolutions and authoritarianism have fortified, and why revolutions will once again experience a resurgence in this part of the world.
Ibrahim Fawzy is a literary translator and academic based in Egypt. His interests include translation studies, Arabic literature, ecocriticism, and disability studies.
