Helen Lackner, a seasoned expert on Yemen with over fifty years of experience, delves into the country's tumultuous history and future potential. She reflects on political transformations since the 1960s, the impact of unification, and the humanitarian crisis overshadowing Yemen's struggles. Lackner emphasizes the importance of education and resource management for a hopeful democratic future. She also discusses the shifting dynamics of port control and grassroots mobilization, highlighting the role of civil society in pursuing a positive path forward for Yemen.
01:36:22
forum Ask episode
web_stories AI Snips
view_agenda Chapters
menu_book Books
auto_awesome Transcript
info_circle Episode notes
question_answer ANECDOTE
Experience in PDRY Era
Helen Lackner lived in the People's Democratic Republic of Yemen (PDRY) from 1977 to 1982, witnessing key political events.
She observed austerity and political immaturity within the youthful leadership during that period.
insights INSIGHT
PDRY's Misguided Economic Models
The PDRY regime followed external models despite their society being unlike those countries.
Their extremist economic policies included nationalizations that did not fit local realities.
question_answer ANECDOTE
Contrasting Checkpoints in Yemen
Checkpoints in PDRY were straightforward with clear permissions.
In contrast, checkpoints in YAR were unpredictable and arbitrary, reflecting different governance styles.
Get the Snipd Podcast app to discover more snips from this episode
This book provides a detailed account of Helen Lackner's experiences and observations in the People's Democratic Republic of Yemen (PDRY). It offers insights into the political, economic, and social dynamics of the PDRY, covering topics such as the leadership, policies, and social structures. The book also explores the challenges and complexities of the PDRY's development and its eventual unification with North Yemen. Lackner's personal experiences and perspectives add a unique dimension to the analysis, providing a rich and nuanced understanding of this historical period. The book is likely to be a valuable resource for scholars, researchers, and anyone interested in the history of Yemen.
What does Yemen’s political, economic and social history and experience tell us about what is realistic for the coming decade and beyond? This keynote lecture delivered by writer and researcher Helen Lackner discussed the main socio-political transformations since the 1960s, and addressed the most relevant features for the country's future. Lackner's presentation drew on her personal experience in different sectors throughout the country.
Meet our speaker and chair
Helen Lackner has been involved with Yemen for more than half a century, working in all three Yemeni states which have existed since the 1960s. She has worked as a consultant in social aspects of rural development in over thirty countries in the Middle East, Africa, Asia and Europe. Her two most recent books on Yemen are 'Yemen in Crisis, Devastating Conflict, Fragile Hope' (Saqi, 2023) and 'Yemen: Poverty and Conflict' (Routledge, 2023). Lackner was the Sir William Luce Fellow at Durham University in 2016, an associate researcher at SOAS from 2016 to 2022. She edited the Journal of the British-Yemeni Society for eight years and writes regularly for the Arab Digest and Orient XXI and has contributed longer academic papers to numerous books and other institutions.
Richard Barltrop is a Visiting Senior Fellow at the LSE Middle East Centre. His research is on contemporary international approaches to peacemaking, and why peace processes fail or succeed, with a particular focus on Yemen, Sudan and South Sudan. He is the author of 'Darfur and the International Community: The Challenges of Conflict Resolution in Sudan' (IB Tauris/Bloomsbury, 2011/2015).
LSE Middle East Centre Podcasts 