Politics In Middle East Essay

Promotions of womens rights and empowering women arouse been central components in the see for body politic in the Arab world. The infracticipation of Arab women in the semi policy-making scienceal and frugal arena trunk among the petty(a)est in the world. This is evident from the low percentage of women in parliament, cabinet and the workforce. many a(prenominal) an(prenominal) times the women waste been portrayed as veiled, oppressed, and invisible (Sadiki, 2004, 253). This is true in realism though in about cases it is unconstitutional.Sadiki argues that womens imageicipation in policy-making and economic issues in Arab countries is dependent on the socio-economic and political forces in the business relationship of the coun find out (Sadiki, 2004, 267). olibanum the problem of womens rights is non wistful of Moslem country rather it smoke be explained by the patriarchal nature of the society. Men capture been the ones predominantly construe and interp reting the Quran. This has led to women non being entirelyowed work or socialize human racely. (Sadaki, 2004, 285).The economic and social governing body agency of a family similarly influence the rights available to a charwoman for instance in Iraq, a wet family is more than(prenominal) worryly to educate its daughters than a poor family. Islamic religion does not relegate the woman to a smirch below the man, rather it points out that she is a twin to the man and promotes inclusiveness in all issues, economic, political and social (Sadiki, 2005, 266). In an discourse with Lubabah-ul-Fadh, a Islamic woman activist, Lubahah states that because she is Islamic and Islamist she is free from injustice and shogunate. She therefrom supports democracy that empowers women economically and politically (Sadiki, 2004, 284). She however is of the batch that Muslim womens foremost post is that of being a moral pedagog for the younger generation to ensure Muslim culture and rel igion are adhered to. For her, gift up parliamentary positions so women bath pursue this goal is worthwhile (Sadiki, 2004, 284).This illustrates the impression of certain Islamist movements in Arab countries. Different alliances among distaff Islamists has resulted in little consensus on womens participation in the Islamic activity Front. Western influence has to some course enhanced authoritarian form of government in Arab countries. The focus on petroleum in Arab countries has led to sidelining of the issues of women rights as governments try to meet demands for vegetable oil and amass wealthiness for the regime in power. This however has overly been used to influence decisions made by Arab country governments for example by placing embargoes on their oil so that meshs can be resolved (Sadiki 2004, 283). Western influence therefore has not been entirely negative. Positive outcomes of western influence include improvement of family stipulation laws resulting from incumb ent governments in Arab countries wanting to indicate their zeal for reform which has been influenced by inter populational pressure.The women in Iraq during Saddams array dictatorship experienced more valet de chambre rights freedoms than during the period of Bushs presidential term Democratic Iraq. The US led trading therefore has not benefited the clamber for womens rights especially because it favors an extremist interpretation of the constitution. Arab women perplex been moving for ward in the struggle for empowerment. Some of the outgrowths include the appointment of more women to parliament in Jordan and Egypt by the Arab government. The join States is working through the MEPI to provide homework on political issues to female political candidates so as to raise the fig of women legislators.The Beijing Fourth World conclave in women led to other conferences which aimed at canvassing the recommendations of Beijing conference of a 30 percent quota for women in parlia mentary representation. These include the Egyptian women and Democratic slip and the Jordanian woman and Electoral rectitude conferences. (Sadiki, 2004, 269). In Tunisia the rigorous push for sex activity equity in policies led to the instauration of councils for women and development to advice government departments regarding policy planning and also the creation of a Ministry of Women and the Family and a National Observatory for Women. (Sadiki, 2004, 283).Participation of women in political and economic so utmost has not had an effect of changing the policies that are made. It has however benefactored to improve childrens wel furtheste, the ain lives and economic power of Arab women. It however has not had practically impact on the political systems of the day in Arab countries and allow for most in all likelihood not ready oft effect since in most Arab countries the political structure is such that changes in the position of women can be absorbed. This is true for c ountries like Egypt, Jordan and Morocco where authoritarianism and limited democratic freedoms co-exist.Islamist movements have had a negative impact on the struggle for women empowerment fundamentalist activists deal womens rights issues and the participation of women in the public to be western and aimed at contaminating the morals and culture of customsal Islamic region. Some women activists see that the more serious role of a woman is preserveing Islam tradition and so women can until this is achieved give up involvement in political issues (Sadiki, 2004, 285). theology has had a significant role in shaping the beliefs, policies and behavior of slew in the position einsteinium region. Mecca, Medina and Jerusalem are important points of focus as far as religion is concerned, and also in the case of Jerusalem, a significant promenade of encroach. The Arab-Israel passage of arms is not the only solution of instability in the region, as bear witness by a history of conf lict long before the existence of the Jewish state, Israel and also presence of conflict not related to Israel clashes amidst Iraq and US (Cleve dry land, 2004, 222-224).The expiry of Britain and France from the pith East in the 1950s, the governance of the Israel state and the importance of the oil industriousness all contribute greatly to the conflict in the pose East. As a result, the US became increasingly involved in Middle East issues becoming a great force in the oil industry and a source of stability. The Soviet Union sought to open new-made areas for the Cold warfare and formed alliances with Egypt (under Nasser) and Iraq.These regimes failed to cede on their promises lede to Arabic despotism and embracing of Islamism among counties like Iraq and Egypt. With the fall of the Soviet Union these countries (Egypt, Algeria, Syria, and Iraq) grokd Arab nationalism. This later led to Iran-Iraq war invading Kuwait and in the nineties and the US intervened by evicting Iraq from Kuwait with the help of allies like Egypt and Saudi Arabia straining to US military occupation of the Iranian Gulf, a source of great offensive activity to Muslims. (Lewis, 2005, 2-5).The current situation is one that is of pertain conflicts especially Arab-Israeli conflict. Anti western regimes in Arab countries seek to destroy Israel, and defeat the US. The portions of land given to the Jews after World War II are surrounded by Muslim countries, this land and other portions that have been taken over by Israel during wars against Arab countries have continued to fuel the conflict between Palestinians and Israeli. East Jerusalem is a part of Israel, considered holy for Muslims. Palestinians see Israelis as invaders of their nation as such they have make a military network that attacks righteous Israeli civilians.Israelis protect themselves from these attacks by development military force to control Palestinians, these involves having checkpoints for Palestinians between cities. Most of the irrigate supply is controlled by Israelis who give Palestinians little access to water compared to their needs increasing the humiliation and wiz of abuse felt by the Palestinians. (Cleveland, 2004, 22-224). Attacks by Israeli soldiers has led to destruction of much of the Palestinian government because of destruction of records, equipment, electricity supplies, roads, electricity supplies and other infrastructure. The continued bend of settlements in Palestinian territory is seen as a reason for further affix in conflict between Israel and Palestine, downfall any chances of peace in the region. (Lewis, 2005, pp2, 3).Demands of Palestinians that Palestinian refugees be allowed to have their land tail end have not been solvable because if Palestinians reoccupy their land, Israel as a Jewish state will end because Israel then would have more Palestinians than Israelis. As such this is not an pickaxe Israelis want to consider. Both Palestinians and Jews have been forced to live in exile at some point in their histories. The Jews have faced much persecution wile many Palestinians are misused by depots of the Middle East who have their own sign on domestic agenda.Western foreign policy, a strong Israel state and a lour in the stabilities of nations with unfriendly regimes have kept up(p) the conflict in the Middle East. The conflict in the region is likely to continue mainly because of the nature of leadership. Despotism and imperious rule have become part of the system so much that this the Great Compromiser a major obstacle to development of democratic institutions that would be more inclined to control and stop the conflict (Lewis 2005, 2-3).The tuition revolution is also destined to mend the present situation in the Middle East. The availability of information from various media influences the protective cover dynamics. Television programs have been known to parcel out untrue information that leads to escalation of conflic t, but television has also allowed the people of Middle East to see vibrant democracies in fulfil (like in Israel) which is unheard of in most Arab countries. This attachs the likelihood for people to push for and embrace democracy that allows uninhibited disagreement and crinkle of ideas in an orderly manner.Pressure from the planetary community for political reform is likely to increase stability in the region leading to more demands of equitable scattering of resources. Political reform is slow with a greater focus on slackening rather than democratization since liberalization allows more openness and discussion while the government of the day retains power (Benched and Byman, 2003, pp55).Slow political reform is more likely to maintain stability compared to rapid political reform. However, if the reforms do not continue at a steady pace frustrations by the people are more likely to increase causing conflict that could even lead to regimes being overthrown (Bensahel and By man, 2003, pp55).Works CitedLewis B, 2005 Freedom and legal expert in the Modern Middle East, council on Foreign Affairs retrieved from www.foreignaffirs.org/20050511faessay84305.p50/bernard-lewis/freedom-and-justice-in -the-modern-midle-east.htmlCleveland WL 2004 A history of he Modern Middle East, third Ed Westview Press ISBN 0-8133-4048-9 pp 222-255Sadiki L 2005 The assay for Arab Democracy, Columbia University Press ISBN 023112581XBensabel N and Byman D, 2003 The proximo Security Environment In The Middle East Conflict, Stability and Political Change, RAND confederation ISBN 0-83303290-9