The "new clothes" of authoritarianism in the Middle East
Les « habits neufs » de l’autoritarisme au Moyen Orient
Confluences Méditerranée Journal
Revue Confluences Méditerranée
Published on Friday, April 18, 2025
Abstract
Authoritarianism in the Middle East has undergone a series of mutations, in various forms, without in many cases fundamentally shaking its traditional patrimonial, military and rentier structures. The "Arab Springs" of 2011 revealed the flaws in these systems. However, recent developments have also illustrated how the notion of political change can actually amount to a veneer of continuity. Many of these regimes have adapted to popular protest and overcome it by adopting a range of measures - from liberalisation to cooperation, from modernisation to coercion. With this in mind, this issue of Confluences Méditerranée will look at this complex issue through a series of interdisciplinary contributions based on existing literature and grounded in field studies.
Announcement
Background
Authoritarianism in the Middle East is closely linked to the formation of post-colonial states in this region, which is itself marked by major national dilemmas and major inequalities in development. Historically, it has taken a variety of forms, usually sustained by military regimes with formidable security apparatuses (Egypt, Iraq, Syria), by the robustness of patrimonial structures and, in economic terms, by the presence of colossal rents (Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Kuwait). In 2011, the 'Arab Spring' revealed the weaknesses of these systems, which had previously been thought to be unshakeable.
But developments since then have also shown that the notion of change has, in the end, often been no more than a veneer of continuity. A majority of these regimes have managed to adapt to and overcome the demands of the street, even consolidating their authoritarian nature. While some have opted for policies of liberalisation and co-optation of large sections of society in order to perpetuate themselves, combining modernisation and coercion, others have employed a skilful mix of control over the religious sphere, neo-liberal reforms and measures to recentralise the state apparatus.
So what are the "new clothes" of authoritarianism in the Middle East, and are they really that new? This is the question that this thematic issue of the journal Confluences Méditerranée aims to answer through a variety of multidisciplinary contributions based on existing literature as well as on current or already published field surveys.
Proposals for articles in this issue, to be published in March 2026, may be structured around several of the research issues suggested below, with an emphasis on problem-based and original thinking:
- What are the characteristics of authoritarianism in the Middle East today?
- How have recent political developments influenced the evolution of authoritarian regimes in the region?
- Have socio-cultural factors contributed to the persistence of authoritarian political structures in the Middle East?
- What role do new technologies play in the transformation of old authoritarian practices?
- How do the "new clothes" of authoritarianism in the Middle East differ from its more historical forms?
- What impact has foreign interference had on the perpetuation of authoritarianism as a dominant political form?
- How are populations reacting to the changing nature of authoritarianism in their respective countries?
- What are some examples of leaders in the Middle East who are emblematic of these new clothes of authoritarianism?
- Why and how has the concept of "legitimacy" also played a major role in maintaining this type of regime?
- Eventually, what are the strategies currently being used to repress dissent and preserve the mechanisms for controlling society?
How to contribute
Proposals for articles should be sent to Myriam Benraad (myriam.benraad@schiller.edu),
before 1 June 2025
They should not exceed 4,000 characters (including spaces).
Each proposal must be accompanied by a title (even a provisional one) and a short biography of the author.
Following feedback to the authors on 15 June 2025, articles must be submitted by 31 September 2025 at the latest.
Direction
- Myriam Benraad
Comité de rédaction
- Dima Alsajdeya, chercheuse à la chaire d’Histoire contemporaine du monde arabe au Collège de France et doctorante à l’Université Paris II Panthéon-Assas.
- Adel Bakawan, directeur du Centre de sociologie de l’Irak (Université de Soran en Irak) et chercheur associé au Programme Turquie et Moyen-Orient de l’Institut français des relations internationales ainsi qu’au Centre d’analyse et d’intervention sociologiques.
- Robert Bistolfi, chercheur indépendant, ancien cadre de la fonction publique européenne.
- Matthieu Brun, directeur scientifique de la Fondation pour l’agriculture et la ruralité dans le monde (FARM), chercheur associé à LAM-SciencesPo Bordeaux.
- François Ceccaldi, docteur en Études politiques (EHESS), chercheur associé à la chaire d’histoire contemporaine du monde arabe au Collège de France et ATER en sciences politiques à l’Université Sorbonne Paris Nord. Il est également président du Cercle des chercheurs sur le Moyen-Orient (CCMO).
- Christophe Chiclet, historien et journaliste, spécialiste des Balkans.
- Jean-François Coustillière, consultant sur les questions euro-méditerranéennes, responsable du cabinet de consultant JFC Conseil, spécialisé dans les relations internationales en Méditerranée.
- Agnès Levallois, consultante, spécialiste du Moyen-Orient, chargée de cours à Sciences Po.
- Barah Mikail, directeur de Strategia consulting et professeur à l’université Saint Louis de Madrid.
- Bernard Ravenel, agrégé d’histoire, et auteur de plusieurs livres sur les pays méditerranéens.
- Haoues Seniguer, maître de conférences à Sciences Po Lyon et chercheur au laboratoire Triangle, UMR 5206.
- Farida Souiah, chercheuse associée au LAMES à la Maison méditerranéenne des sciences de l’homme.
- Clément Therme, docteur en histoire internationale et chargé de cours à l’Université Paul Valéry, Montpellier.
Comité scientifique
- Bertrand Badie, enseignant-chercheur associé au Centre d’études et de recherches internationales (CERI).
- Karine Bennafla, géographe, directrice du Centre d’études et de documentation économiques, juridiques et sociales (CEDEJ).
- Sarah Ben Nefissa, sociologue, politologue, directrice de recherche à l’Institut de Recherche pour le Développement.
- Pierre Blanc, enseignant-chercheur en géopolitique à Bordeaux.
- Jean-Paul Chagnollaud, professeur émérite des Universités, président de l’iReMMO.
- Monique Chemillier-Gendreau, juriste, professeure émérite de Droit Public et de Science politique à l’Université Paris VII – Diderot.
- Alain Gresh, journaliste, ancien rédacteur en chef du Monde diplomatique, fondateur du journal en ligne « Orient XXI ».
- Roger Heacock, professeur d’histoire à l’université de Birzeit.
- Salam Kawakibi, directeur du Centre arabe de recherches et d’études politiques, Paris (Carep).
- Bassma Kodmani, ancienne directrice de l’Arab Reform Initiative (ARI).
- Elisabeth Longuenesse, sociologue et directrice de recherche au CNRS, Lyon.
- Farouk Mardam-Bey, écrivain et éditeur, directeur de la collection Sindbad chez Actes Sud.
Subjects
Places
- Paris, France (75)
Date(s)
- Sunday, June 01, 2025
Keywords
- Moyen-Orient, méditerranée, autoritarisme, régime, système
Reference Urls
Information source
- Myriam Benraad
courriel : myriam [dot] benraad [at] schiller [dot] edu
License
This announcement is licensed under the terms of Creative Commons CC0 1.0 Universal.
To cite this announcement
« The "new clothes" of authoritarianism in the Middle East », Call for papers, Calenda, Published on Friday, April 18, 2025, https://doi.org/10.58079/13ryf
