Ruling but not governing : the military and political development in Egypt, Algeria, and Turkey / Steven A. Cook.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Cook, Steven A.

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Civil-military relations.

Armed Forces--Political activity.

Armed Forces.

Authoritarianism.

Democracy.

Democratization.

Egypt--Politics and government.

Egypt.

Politics and government.

Algeria--Politics and government.

Algeria.

Turkey--Politics and government.

Turkey.

Physical Description:

xiii, 189 pages ; 24 cm

Place of Publication:

Baltimore : Johns Hopkins University Press, 2007.

Summary:

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 democratie 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.

Contents:

A logic of regime stability

The Egyptian, Algerian, and Turkish military enclaves : the contours of the officers' autonomy

The pouvoir militaire and the failure to achieve a "just mean"

Institutionalizing a military-founded system

Turkish paradox : Islamist political power and the Kemalist political order

Toward a democratic transition? : weakening the patterns of political inclusion and exclusion.

Notes:

"A Council on Foreign Relations book"--P. facing t.p.

Includes bibliographical references (pages [149]-182) and index.

ISBN:

0801885906

9780801885907

0801885914

9780801885914

OCLC:

70877960

Online:

Contributor biographical information

Publisher description