Constitutions in a Nonconstitutional World: Arab Basic Laws and the Prospects for Accountable Government (Suny Series in Middle Eastern Studies) [Paperback]

Nathan J. Brown (Author)

Book Description

Series: Suny Series in Middle Eastern Studies | Publication Date: October 11, 2001

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

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.

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.

Product Details

• Paperback: 262 pages
• Publisher: State University of New York Press (October 11, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0791451585
• ISBN-13: 978-0791451588
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.3 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,459,054 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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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 (Washington, DC) - See all my reviews
(TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (VINE VOICE)   

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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.