Constitutions in a Nonconstitutional World: Arab Basic Laws and the Prospects for Accountable Government (S U N Y Series in Middle Eastern Studies) [Hardcover]

Nathan J. Brown (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 2001 | Series: S U N Y Series in Middle Eastern Studies

Uses the Arab experience to explain the appeal of constitutional documents to authoritarian political regimes.

--This text refers to the Paperback edition.

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

The collapse of authoritarian regimes and the global resurgence of liberal democracy has led to a renewed interest in constitutions and constitutionalism among scholars and political activists alike. This book uses the Arab experience to explain the appeal of constitutional documents to authoritarian regimes and assesses the degree to which such constitutions can be used in the effort to make the regimes more accountable. --This text refers to the Paperback edition.

About the Author

Nathan J. Brown is Professor of Political Science and International Affairs at George Washington University. He is the author of The Rule of Law in the Arab World: Courts in Egypt and the Gulf and Peasant Politics in Modern Egypt: The Struggle Against the State. --This text refers to the Paperback edition.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 244 pages
• Publisher: State Univ of New York Pr (November 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0791451577
• ISBN-13: 978-0791451571
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6.2 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,658,859 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars a finely nuanced reading, April 14, 2004

By 

Donovan G. Rinker "donoglen" (Cambridge, MA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Constitutions in a Nonconstitutional World: Arab Basic Laws and the Prospects for Accountable Government (Suny Series in Middle Eastern Studies) (Paperback)

Brown's argument is impressively supported: although most Arab countries have constitutions, the constitutions themselves do not function as Americans would expect. However, the cynical rejection of these documents as cosmetic devices is flawed, as Arab governments do use these constitutions and they have real meaning, with some prospects for further development.

With all the recent talk of 'democratization' in the Middle East, one would do well to read Nathan Brown and revisit the agenda. What is needed may not be democratization (as elections) but constitutionalism (as in legal restraints on power).

Highly recommended, particularly for those seeking a nontechnical introduction that goes well-beyond the redundant, think tank inspired cheerleading that passes for scholarship on democracy.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Interesting Theory, Good Discussion, July 20, 2008

By 

Enjolras (Springfield, MA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Constitutions in a Nonconstitutional World: Arab Basic Laws and the Prospects for Accountable Government (Suny Series in Middle Eastern Studies) (Paperback)

Too often our discussion of rule of law and democracy have equated constitutionalism with a respect for rights. In this book, Brown suggests we distinguish between constitutional text and liberal constitutionalist ideals. For example, Brown makes the argument that often rulers are able to get away with authoritarian practices not in violation of their country's constitution, but because that constitution is already weak and illiberal. In many Arab constitutions, executive leaders and kings retained significant power, while legislatures were reduced to mere advisory boards. Furthermore, the executives creatively used ambiguity to further their power (for example, in an early Tunisian constitution, the sultan claimed the power to issue decrees with force of law since the Constitution did not address this issue).

Brown's framework is useful beyond the Middle East. I hope Brown, or somebody following him, applies his framework to China, which is also increasingly trying to institutionalize an authoritarian order based upon an authoritarian constitution.