Democracy Paradox
Robert Kaplan on the Politics of the Past and Future of the Greater Middle East
Aug 29, 2023
Robert Kaplan discusses the challenges of developing political institutions in the Greater Middle East, the distinctiveness of the region, its significance as a battleground for civilizations, the failure of the Arab Spring, Turkey's potential for democratization, politics and potential for improvement in Iraq, Ethiopia's inclusion in the Greater Middle East, and the role of the United States and China. The speaker also explains why Israel was excluded from their book on the Middle East.
52:26
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Quick takeaways
- The Middle East's historical and cultural complexities contribute to its underdeveloped political institutions despite its proximity to democratic Europe.
- Progress in the Middle East is not linear, and events like the Arab Spring should not be seen as definitive indicators of the region's incapability for democracy.
Deep dives
The Middle East as a Riddle
The Middle East is the most autocratic region in the world, despite its close proximity to Europe, which is notably democratic. It has given birth to the world's oldest civilizations, yet its political institutions remain underdeveloped. The podcast explores the reasons behind the lack of democracy taking root in the Middle East and discusses the challenge of developing political institutions in the region.
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