ENGLISH

Ruling But Not Governing: The Military and Political Development in Egypt, Algeria, and Turkey (Council on Foreign Relations Book)

By Steven A. Cook

Book information

Year
2007
ISBN
0801885914, 9780801885914, 0801885906, 9780801885907
Open Library ID
OL7871605M
Language
english
Format
PDF
Filesize
1 MB (1098790 bytes)
Pages
208\206
Scanned
yes
Time added
2011-06-04 13:46:07

Description

Ruling But Not Governing highlights the critical role that the military plays in the stability of the Egyptian, Algerian, and, until recently, Turkish political systems. This in-depth study demonstrates that while the soldiers and materiel of Middle Eastern militaries form the obvious outer perimeter of regime protection, it is actually the less apparent, multilayered institutional legacies of military domination that play the decisive role in regime maintenance.Steven A. Cook uncovers the complex and nuanced character of the military's interest in maintaining a facade of democracy. He explores how an authoritarian elite hijack seemingly democratic practices such as elections, multiparty politics, and a relatively freer press as part of a strategy to ensure the durability of authoritarian systems. Using Turkey's recent reforms as a point of departure, the study also explores ways external political actors can improve the likelihood of political change in Egypt and Algeria. Ruling But Not Governing provides valuable insight into the political dynamics that perpetuate authoritarian regimes and offers novel ways to promote democratic change. (Jan. 2008)

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