Arab Human Development in the Twenty-First Century (Hardback)  | Released: 28 Jan 2015

With its emphasis on the primacy of change, this study arrives at a particularly auspicious moment, as the Middle East continues to be convulsed by the greatest upheavals in generations, which have come to be known as the Arab Spring. Originally prepared as the tenth-anniversary volume of the UNDP's Arab Human Development Report, Arab Human Development in the Twenty-first Century places empowerment at the center of human development in the Arab world, viewing it not only from the vantage point of a more equitable distribution of economic resources but also of fundamental legal, educational, and political reform. The ten chapters in this book follow closely this political economy framework. They look back at what Arab countries have achieved since the early 2000s and forward to what remains to be done to reach full development. Supported by a wealth of statistical material, they cover the rule of law, the evolution of media, the persistence of corruption, the draining of resources through armed conflict, the dominance and increase of poverty, the environment, and religious education. The concluding chapter attempts an inventory of the world literature and different experiences on democratic transition to explore where the region could be heading.This critical and timely study is indispensable reading to development specialists and to Middle East scholars and students alike, as well as to anyone with an interest in the future trajectory of the region.About the Author: Bahgat Korany is professor of international relations and political economy at the American University in Cairo, and director of the AUC Forum. He is the co-editor of The Foreign Policies of Arab States (AUC Press, 2008) and Arab Spring in Egypt: Revolution and Beyond (AUC Press, 2012) and editor of The Changing Middle East: A New Look at Regional Dynamics (AUC Press, 2010).Table of Contents: Part 1: Toward the Twenty-first Century Chapter 1 Redefining Development for a New Generation: A Political Economy Analysis - Bahgat Korany Part 2: Empowerment Begins at the Top Introduction to Part 2 - Bahgat Korany Chapter 2 From the Law of the Ruler to the Rule of Law - Mhamed Malki Chapter 3 Transforming the Media: From Tool of the Rulers to Tool of Empowerment - Lina Khatib Chapter 4 Fighting Corruption: From Missing Link to Development Priority - Mustafa Yousef Khawaja Part 3: Supporting Empowerment Processes Introduction to Part 3 - Bahgat Korany Chapter 5 Ending Persistent Poverty: Pathways to Reform and Empowerment - Sabria Al- Thawr Chapter 6 A New Approach for Managing Conflicts - Louisa Dris-Ait Hamadouche Chapter 7 Urbanization, Climate Change, and the Environment - Zeyad Makhamreh Part 4: Rooting Empowerment in Identity Introduction to Part 4 - Bahgat Korany Chapter 8 The Role of Education in Individual and Sustainable Development - Najoua Fezzaa Ghriss Chapter 9 The Formation of Religious Leaders and Impact of Enlightened Imams - Baqer S. Alnajjar Part 5: A New History in the Making? Chapter 10 The Birth Pangs of Transitioning from Authoritarianism: The Long Spring of Empowerment - Bahgat Korany Bibliography Index